Fisheries Officer Job Description

What is the job description of a Fisheries Officer? What are the duties and responsibilities of a Fisheries Officer? What does a Fisheries Officer do?

Job description of a Fisheries Officer

Fisheries officers are responsible for the conservation and protection of fisheries, whether freshwater or marine. They carry out surveys of aquatic life, investigate fish mortalities and study water quality. Freshwater fisheries officers conduct field survey work, including surveys of fish stocks and technical project work. They advise members of the public and industry about sustainable fishing and promote angling as a recreational activity.

Marine (or sea) fisheries officers manage, regulate, develop and protect the fisheries and work to sustain the marine environment. This includes inspecting fishing vessels at sea and enforcing technical conservation measures for juvenile and spawning fish.

This Fisheries Officer job description example includes the list of most important Fisheries Officer duties and responsibilities as shown below. It can be modified to fit the specific Fisheries Officer profile you're trying to fill as a recruiter or job seeker.

Fisheries Officer Duties and Responsibilities

Fisheries Officer job description should contain a variety of functions and roles including:

  • Communicating with and advising external bodies, e.g. angling clubs, councils and fisheries owners;
  • Keeping up to date with legislation and relevant scientific/technical developments.
  • Approving and issuing licences for the movement of fish;
  • Electro-fishing and netting;
  • Monitoring scientific data;
  • Writing reports;
  • Surveying fish stocks, ensuring the correct type and amount of fish are in the right places;
  • Conducting annual surveys of rivers;
  • Working with planning authorities to ensure new building developments do not have an adverse impact on river fisheries;
  • Conducting environmental impact assessments;
  • Supporting recreational angling;
  • Contributing to habitat improvement schemes;
  • Patrolling the coastline up to six nautical miles from the shore;
  • Inspecting fish markets and premises in ports;
  • Stopping and searching fishing vessels;
  • Operating and maintaining large, small or inflatable boats;
  • Handling fish and shellfish;
  • Managing special stock recovery measures for ‘at risk’ fish stocks;
  • Providing advice to members of the public, fishing crews and offshore fish farm managers.
  • Sampling biological specimens;
  • Analysing data and producing reports;

Fisheries Officer Requirements / Skills / Qualifications

Fisheries Officer job description should include these common skills and qualifications:

  • A graduate degree in aquaculture and fisheries management/science, biology/biological sciences, environmental sciences, marine science/oceanography, land management.
  • An interest in improving the environment
  • A practical disposition
  • A driving licence, which is useful for inland work
  • Boat-handling experience, which is helpful for marine work.
  • An interest in fish and fishing
  • Good people skills
  • The ability to analyse and interpret data

As a hiring manager, recruiting an ideal Fisheries Officer starts with crafting a good job description. Use this Fisheries Officer job description template to save yourself time and help you attract the most qualified candidates. Feel free to revise it to meet your specific needs.

Job seekers interviewing for the role of a Fisheries Officer may also reference it in preparation for the interview.