Job prospects Oyster Picker in Newfoundland and Labrador

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as an "oyster picker" in Newfoundland and Labrador or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Newfoundland and Labrador

These outlooks were updated on December 11, 2024.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be moderate for Aquaculture and marine harvest labourers (NOC 85102) in Newfoundland and Labrador for the 2024-2026 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
• A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
• Due to the seasonal nature of this occupation, employment opportunities may vary depending on the time of the year.

Global demand for fish and seafood products is expected to rise over the forecast period. Operations exist throughout rural parts of the province, farming salmon, mussels, oysters, and some other species. Grieg Seafood continues to expand its operations, with increasing production and investment in infrastructure. By 2026, Grieg plans to substantially increase its annual farmed salmon production to 15,000 tonnes. 

Here are some key facts about Aquaculture and marine harvest labourers in Newfoundland and Labrador:

• Approximately 400 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
• Aquaculture and marine harvest labourers mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Agriculture (NAICS 111, 112, 1151, 1152): 49%
  • Fishing, hunting and trapping (NAICS 114): 46%
• 15% of aquaculture and marine harvest labourers work all year, while 85% work only part of the year, compared to 56% and 43% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 22 weeks compared to 40 weeks for all occupations.
• 54% of aquaculture and marine harvest labourers are self-employed compared to an average of 8% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: more than 95% compared to 51% for all occupations
  • Women: less than 5% compared to 49% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: 56% compared to 11% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 28% compared to 27% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 13% compared to 17% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 23% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: n/a
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Newfoundland and Labrador by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology