Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

The Work

Fishmongering is a skilled job that demands a detailed knowledge of fish and fish products. A fishmonger buys fish wholesale and hand-prepares it for retail sales. The preparation involves removing scales, skin and bones and possibly cutting the fish into smaller portions. Fishmongers might also carry out specialised tasks such as dressing crabs.  
 
The work involves collecting and storing stock, displaying fish and serving customers, often giving advice on how best to store and cook fish. Some fishmongers also sell poultry and game.  
 
A fishmonger has to maintain strict standards of hygiene and health and safety. Fish handling tools and equipment such as knives, tongs, fish slices, sharpening tools and pliers are used and have to be clean and well looked after.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Use knives, cleavers, meat saws, bandsaws, or other equipment to perform meat cutting and trimming.
• Weigh meats and tag containers for weight and contents.
• Inspect meat products for defects, bruises or blemishes and remove them along with any excess fat.
• Cut and trim meat to prepare for packing.
• Separate meats and byproducts into specified containers and seal containers.
• Process primal parts into cuts that are ready for retail use.
• Prepare ready-to-heat foods by filleting meat or fish or cutting it into bite-sised pieces, preparing and adding vegetables or applying sauces or breading.
• Clean, trim, slice, and section carcasses for future processing.
• Remove parts, such as skin, feathers, scales or bones, from carcass.
• Prepare sausages, luncheon meats, hot dogs, and other fabricated meat products, using meat trimmings and hamburger meat.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Naturalist

Not surprisingly, some aspect of the natural sciences will run through the Naturalist's interests - from ecological awareness to nutrition and health. People with an interest in horticulture, land usage and farming (including fish) are Naturalists.

Some Naturalists focus on animals rather than plants, and may enjoy working with, training, caring for, or simply herding them. Other Naturalists will prefer working with the end result of nature's produce - the food produced from plants and animals. Naturalists like solving problems with solutions that show some sensitivity to the environmental impact of what they do. They like to see practical results and prefer action to talking and discussing.

Whilst a qualification may not be required by all employers, Bord Iascaigh Mhara’s (BIM) National Fisheries College offers a certified fishmonger qualification which is a 7 day course focusing on the skills needed as a fishmonger.

You may need to undertake some official training to enable you to handle food correctly. All experience of working with fresh produce and in a customer service role will also be beneficial.

HACCP/Food safety training completed. HACCP stands for Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point, and refers to procedures you must put in place to ensure the food you produce and serve is safe to consume. 

Manual Handling

These courses may be available at low or no cost in FET centres nationwide. You can search for these key skills certs, just add the key word via Search our FET Coursefinder.

Training & Development

An NFQ Level 5 Apprenticeship National Certificate in Butchering Skills Course is available through ACBI Search Apprenticeships

With experience you may want to progress to a manager or owner of an independent Fishmongers, which requires both Fish mongering skills and ability to run a small business, employ staff, promote products and supply quality fish and shellfish. You can explore courses and career options in Maritime, Fishing & Aquaculture or Retail sectors.

Last Updated: October, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €26k - €42k

Salaries vary by employer, location, experience, and duties.

Data Source(s):
Excel recruitment/ Salaryband.com/ Indeed/ WRC

Last Updated: February, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

This occupation had a negative annual average employment growth rate over the five-year period, although there was some growth in the year since 2021. The CSO Census data shows that employment levels for butchers fell between 2016 and 2022; the fall was greatest for those employed in the retail sector, although there were also declines for those employed in manufacturing (in 2022, 59% of butchers were employed in wholesale/retail and 37% were in manufacturing). Over half of those employed as bakers and flour confectioners in 2022 were working in manufacturing, with a further 30% in retail.

At 42%, this occupation had a far higher share employed who were non Irish citizens than the national average. The relatively high volume of employment permits were primarily for meat deboners and skilled knifemen. In addition the skills for growth data highlights issues with recruitment of experienced bakers. There was a high volume of vacancies advertised with DSP Jobs Ireland for meat deboners and skilled knifepersons, with a smaller share for pastry chefs and bakers.

Climate targets may impact the future demand for butchers and meat processing activities. Although no shortages are evident from the data, issues with the attractiveness of the job may potentially cause issues in sourcing suitable candidates. 

• Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM)

  • Crofton House, Crofton Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin
  • (01) 214 4100
  • Click Here

• The National Fisheries College

  • Click Here

• Aquaculture Sector of the Irish Farmers Association

  • Click Here