Fisheries Officers maintain lakes/lochs and rivers and their fish stocks for recreational activities. As part of the work, they face the challenges of dealing with ecological problems, such as destruction of habitats and pollution. Fisheries Officers conduct surveys of the fish stocks, water quality and habitats to support sustainable recreational fishing.
Fisheries Officers may also contribute to habitat improvement scheme activities with consideration for conservation and aquatic life.
You'll need:
knowledge and interest in aquatic and neighbouring ecosystems
awareness of the main environmental threats facing waterways
knowledge of fish biology and diseases
experience in taking samples for analysis
a good awareness of health and safety issues
to complete reports and maintain accurate records
to work well alone and as part of a small team.
physical skills such as mobility and co-ordination, and a good level of fitness
to be able to swim and have boat-handling experience
A full driving licence is usually required to cover the catchment area.
37-40 hours per week. This may include weekends and evenings. Hours can be flexible depending on workload and whether there is an incident which could affect fish stocks.
Monitor the quality of the water, the welfare of fish and the habitat
Conduct field survey work, including surveys of fish stocks using techniques such as electrofishing
Monitor scientific data and write reports for a diverse audience
Assess damage caused by any pollution and identify its source
Identify areas where fish restocking may be of benefit
Contribute to habitat improvement schemes - look out for erosion and arrange for the reconstruction of riverbanks
Identify areas where stocks have been depleted by overfishing
Liaise with local landowners, farmers, representatives of conservation organisations and scientists
Work with planning authorities to ensure new building developments do not have an adverse impact on river fisheries
You will be working both in an office and outdoors work in all weather conditions.
When working outdoors, you will work in and around water and need to wear protective clothing and equipment.
Training is an essential part of any job, giving you the skills and knowledge you need to do your job safely and correctly. It also helps to strengthen your current skill set and prepares you for the next stage in your career.
Apprenticeships help you build the experience and skills that employers want to see. No matter what stage you’re at, they’ll help set you up for a bright future. There are lots of ways to get involved.
Future options include moving into an advisory or policy development role within government, or into private consultancy working on sustainability issues.
Another route is into further or higher education lecturing and research in colleges or universities that offer relevant courses.
Fisheries Officer will usually work in one of the following industries. Click below to find out more about possible career paths.
The popularity of angling brings lots of different opportunities to work in both wild and managed fisheries.
The industry needs enthusiastic, skilled workers to help protect and restore our rivers and fisheries and grapple with issues like climate change, pollution, overfishing, catchment management and changing freshwater habitats.
Jobs in fisheries management involve looking after wild fish stocks and their freshwater habitats, as well as working in commercial stocked fisheries.
Day-to-day tasks might include monitoring and surveying, managing fishery habitats, investigating fish health and stock levels, maintaining water quality, or doing technical project work. If you like working with the public then there are lots of opportunities to share your knowledge of sustainable fishing, or you may even get the chance to help enforce regulations to protect fishing and its habitats.
There is estimated to be over 3 million recreational anglers in the UK
Fish are a good indicator of river ecosystem health as well as supporting recreational and commercial fisheries
Recreational coarse and game fishing is a major tourism activity, providing direct financial benefits to local economies with almost all the spends going directly into the local community
It is estimated that more than 150,000 people participate in an angling activity each year in the Republic of Ireland, contributing a significant amount to tourism and recreation economies
These courses are perfect if you are starting out on your career but they are also great for people already in jobs who want to improve their skills.
To find out more about qualification levels in England please visit Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) for England and Northern Ireland or Framework for Higher Education Qualifications for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ) .
To find out more about qualification levels in Northern Ireland please visit Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) for England and Northern Ireland or Framework for Higher Education Qualifications for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ).
To find out more about qualification levels in the Republic of Ireland, please visit National Framework of Qualifications for Ireland (NFQIE)
To find out more about qualification levels in Scotland please visit Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).
To find out more about qualification levels in Wales please visit Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales (CQFW) or Framework for Higher Education Qualifications for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ).
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These courses are perfect if you are starting out on your career but they are also great for people already in jobs who want to improve their skills.
Whether you’re just starting out in the workplace, want to upskill or are considering changing direction, Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to build your career. Apprenticeships combine work with on-the-job training, so if you want to earn as you learn, there’s an apprenticeship out there for you – you can even start an apprenticeship if you already have a degree.
Work, earn and learn – no matter where you are in your career, an apprenticeship can set you up for a bright future.
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Want to take on an apprentice? Employers start here.
An apprenticeship is a unique blend of work experience and study to help build the skills and knowledge you need for your career. Apprentices are employees – they have a contract, are paid and get the same benefits as everyone else. But the difference between an apprenticeship and a normal job is that apprentices are regularly released from work for training. Sometimes that’s a day a week, sometimes it’s for a longer block – it all depends on the job and the apprenticeship.
Apprentices work for all kinds of people at all kinds of stages in their lives. Most apprentices fall into one of three categories:
Previously restricted to school leavers and young people, apprenticeships are now a dynamic way of retraining people of all ages - there’s no upper age limit. The minimum age to become an apprentice is 16 and candidates can’t be in full-time education.
Apprenticeships offer a unique combination of paid work and study. They’re an exciting option for anyone who wants to gain experience, upskill or change career while working.
They offer a chance to work, learn and earn:
Interested in becoming an apprentice? Search for current opportunities and apply here.
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You can also check vacancies on employer websites or get in touch with your local careers service.
What’s it like to work, earn and learn? Find out what apprentice life is really like.
Explore apprenticeship stories
Institute of Fisheries Management
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Canal & River Trust
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British Trout Association
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Fisheries Management Scotland
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The Angling Trust
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Ulster Angling Federation
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Thinking about your finances is important when you're looking at courses and training - different types of funding support is available depending on what type of course you're interested in and where you are located. We recommend you contact the training provider for more information on course costs and financing, but here are some links to connect you to support available:
Skills Hub Scotland is an online skill sharing marketplace creating new opportunities to learn and share skills. Wherever you are located - if you have a skill to share, or a skill to learn, Skills Hub Scotland can help.
Initially founded as a response to the Scottish Government’s CivTech 5 programme in 2020 and aiming to offer a platform for those in rural or remote locations, Skills Hub Scotland has been developed into an important sectoral resource. If you have a skill to share with others or are a training provider, list your workshop or course (all skills from all sectors are welcome). If you are a learner, use Skills Hub Scotland to search for and book a course!
STEM is an approach to learning and development that incorporates the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Learning in STEM connects to Education for Sustainable Development/Learning for Sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals – this helps learners to understand that STEM plays a vital role in finding solutions to real world issues or challenges such as protecting biodiversity and tackling climate change. There are multiple pathways into a land-based STEM career including apprenticeships, further and higher education. This means that a career in STEM is open to everyone!
STEM Learning is the largest provider of STEM education and careers support in the UK. Their STEM Ambassadors programme sees volunteers representing a vast range of STEM-related jobs work with young people to bring STEM subjects alive through real life experiences. They help to open the doors to a world of opportunities and possibilities which come from pursuing STEM subjects and careers. To become a STEM Ambassador, you can register via the STEM Learning website: https://www.stem.org.uk/stem-ambassadors/join-stem-ambassador-programme
Lantra have worked in collaboration with STEM Ambassadors in Scotland to create two specific UK-wide Ambassadors schemes - Forestry and Aquaculture. Through these schemes, we want to make sure that those working in forestry and aquaculture have the support materials they need to take part in STEM activities. To find out more and register for the schemes, please follow the links below:
Smart Futures helps young people in Ireland discover the STEM subjects and careers that might be right for them. Co-ordinated and managed by Science Foundation Ireland, their programme allows young people to connect with people that are working in STEM, the organisations they’re working in and what their interests and skills are.
Why not take a look at the Industries Explorer as an introduction to the different areas you could work in.
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