Imagine starting your day as a fisheries specialist, diving into the diverse and engaging world of marine life management, conservation, and protection. Your morning begins with checking emails for the latest updates on regulations, research, or reports concerning local fish populations.
After sifting through your inbox, you venture into the field to gather data on fish populations and their habitats, which involves deploying sensors, collecting water samples, and observing the behaviour of fish in their natural surroundings.
Once back in the office, your focus shifts to analyzing the collected data and identifying trends or patterns that signal changes in fish populations or their environments. This analysis forms the basis for developing and implementing policies and regulations to promote sustainable fishing practices and safeguard marine ecosystems.
Your role also involves collaborating with professionals, from scientists and fishermen to policymakers, in various settings, such as attending meetings or conferences, participating in working groups, and sharing your fish biology, ecology, and management expertise.
Beyond fieldwork and research, you engage in outreach and education to advocate for responsible fishing practices and protecting marine ecosystems. Meetings with fishermen, presentations to local communities, or collaborating with schools on educational programs are all in a day's work.
Job duties vary from one position to the next, but in general, fisheries technicians are involved in the following activities:
Fisheries technicians operate within the office, field, and laboratory. In each of these settings, individuals in this occupation carry out various duties.
The office:
The field:
The laboratory:
Fisheries technicians are employed across a diverse range of settings and industries, where they contribute to the sustainable management and conservation of aquatic ecosystems and fish populations. Fisheries technicians often work for:
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If you are considering a career as an fisheries technician, you should have a keen interest in:
If you are a post-secondary student considering a career as a fisheries technician, the following undergraduate degree programs are most applicable:
In most cases, the minimum education requirement to work as a fisheries technician is an undergraduate degree or a two- to three-year college program.
Professional certifications recognize a fisheries technician's specialized skills and knowledge, aligning them with industry standards, which can boost their job prospects by showcasing their commitment to excellence and ensuring they contribute to safe and sustainable fisheries practices. Certification and licensing are available with provincial or territorial regulatory associations.
Technical Skills
Personal and Professional Skills
Environmental employers look for professionals who can combine technical knowledge with soft skills. Watch our free webinar “Essential Not Optional: Skills Needed to Succeed in Canada’s Environmental Industry” or take our Essential Skills courses.
I am of Metis status and speak Cree fluently. I have lived in the north all my life and was raised in a small fishing community of Moose Lake, Manitoba. When I was a couple of years old, a hydro dam was built near our community and drastically changed the ecosystem of the area. Moose Lake was flooded and most of the families had to move to higher ground. Our lake became a reservoir and the fish population and wildlife were affected.
My grandpa and uncles had done well as commercial fishermen and trappers, but the hydro dam changed all that. Being outdoors as a child with my Grandpa and uncles helped me develop a passion for the environment. I knew that I wanted to work with natural resources and I made it happen. In 1983, I got a job as a Resource Management Assistant with Manitoba Natural Resources. I was involved in all aspects of resource management from forestry, fire suppression, trapping, fishing and enforcement.
Then in 1999, I took a leave of absence from work and enrolled in the Natural Resources Technology Program at Keewatin Community College in The Pas, Manitoba. It’s a great program. The courses are so varied and very interesting. I learned about all different aspects of natural resources. When I graduated in 2001, I accepted a position at Manitoba Conservation with the Regional Fisheries Department. I believe that often too much emphasis is placed on strictly scientific evaluations of resources.
When I’m asked to do an assessment on a lake, I go and ask the community Elders for advice on traditional fishing areas. If that’s where people are catching fish, then that’s where I should do the testing. We need more Aboriginal people in the field who have traditional values. Because I believe that traditional knowledge is so important in my profession, I plan to establish a database of the vast knowledge our Elders have about our ecosystem. This database will catalogue interviews I’ve had with Elders. Having a permanent record will preserve these Elders' wisdom for future generations. I believe that in the future, traditional knowledge will be applied more often to management decisions regarding Mother Earth.
Fisheries technicians are pivotal in conserving aquatic ecosystems, making it inherently an environmental occupation. Tasked with monitoring fish populations, assessing water quality, and implementing habitat restoration projects, these technicians directly impact the environment by ensuring the sustainability and health of aquatic life. Their work supports the balance between human activities, such as fishing and industrial development, and preserving natural habitats, crucial for biodiversity.
This occupation promotes sustainable practices that maintain fish populations at healthy levels, ensuring that fishing industries can thrive without depleting resources. Fisheries technicians also help safeguard the livelihoods of communities dependent on fishing, contributing to food security and economic stability. Socially, their environmental education and community engagement efforts raise awareness about the importance of sustainable fisheries and aquatic conservation. Fisheries technicians ensure environmental, economic, and social considerations are integrated into fisheries management strategies.
This role is a vital link between scientific research and on-the-ground conservation efforts, ensuring a sustainable interaction between people and aquatic ecosystems.
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