COMMERCIAL AND COMMUNITY FISHERY COORDINATOR

Kitasoo Seafoods is seeking a Commercial and Community Fishery Coordinator to support commercial fishing, Community-Based Fisheries (CBFs), and community food-fish activities in Klemtu.

Reporting to Kitasoo Seafoods Management, the Coordinator organizes fishing opportunities, works with skippers and crew, coordinates processing and distribution, and supports training and fisheries asset readiness.

The role works directly with the Kitasoo Xai’xais Stewardship Authority (KXSA) on CBF planning, fisheries access, agreements, management requirements, and reporting. Priorities will be guided by a workplan developed jointly with Kitasoo Seafoods and KXSA management.

Key Responsibilities:

• Coordinate fishing opportunities: Support commercial and CBF activities, including licences, designations, permits, conditions of licence, NOLs, openings, closures, and monitoring and reporting requirements.
• Organize fishing logistics: Work with skippers, crew, processors, fish packers, buyers, and service providers to coordinate harvesting, offloading, processing, storage, and sales.
• Support reporting and compliance: Help CBF fishers meet catch-reporting, monitoring, audit, and compliance requirements in coordination with KXSA and fisheries staff.
• Coordinate food fish and distribution: Assist with offloading, processing, storage, and distribution of food fish, retained bycatch, commercial catch, and dedicated community harvests.
• Support food security: Work with the community freezer and partners to track inventory, maintain harvest and distribution records, and support safe food handling, traceability, and transportation.
• Engage the community: Gather input from knowledge holders, harvesters, and members to inform fisheries planning. Participate in CBF meetings, licence-reform discussions, audits, and related fisheries tables.
• Build local capacity: Coordinate training and mentorship for deckhand, skipper, processing, and fisheries-support roles. Work with the local school, SEAS program, and training partners to create practical youth and entry-level opportunities.
• Maintain operational readiness: Coordinate maintenance and readiness of boats, commercial fishing vessels, gear, storage facilities, and processing equipment. Maintain asset, supply, and maintenance records.
• Manage workplans and reporting: Provide regular updates on fishing activity, processing, distribution, training, risks, and upcoming needs. Obtain management approval for spending and commitments outside approved authority, and raise safety, financial, compliance, and operational concerns promptly.

Qualifications and Experience

Candidates may qualify through either:

• Practical experience in commercial fishing, seafood processing, or marine operations, including work as a fisher, deckhand, skipper, processor, or crew member;
• Education or technical experience in fisheries management, marine biology, marine science, resource stewardship, aquaculture, or a related field.

Additional qualifications include:

• Strong organization, communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to coordinate schedules, prepare workplans, track spending, and maintain accurate records.
• Ability to work respectfully with skippers, crew, processors, buyers, KXSA, training providers, and community members.
• Sound judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to manage changing priorities and recognize when management direction is needed.

Familiarity with CBFs, commercial licences, NOLs, catch reporting, seafood processing, food safety, logistics, or fisheries compliance is an asset.

Training will be provided where needed for the right candidate.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

This position is based in Klemtu. Work includes office and computer tasks, community meetings, vessel activity, offload and processing sites, and outdoor fieldwork. Irregular hours and travel within and outside the Territory may be required.

Duties may involve walking on wet or uneven surfaces, accessing vessels, climbing stairs, and handling light to moderate equipment and supplies. Appropriate personal protective equipment and safe work practices are required.

How to Apply

Submit your resume and cover letter outlining your relevant experience and interest in supporting Kitasoo Seafoods and community fisheries.

Email: [email protected]

Closing date: Open until filled

Only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted.