Fisheries Technician

Biological technologists and technicians provide technical support and services to scientists, engineers and other professionals working in fields such as agriculture, resource management, environmental protection, plant and animal biology, microbiology, cell and molecular biology and health sciences, or may work independently in these fields. They are employed in both laboratory and field settings by governments, manufacturers of food products, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, biotechnology companies, health, research and educational institutions, environmental consulting companies, and resource and utilities companies.

Typical Duties:

Compiles data on fish including weight, length, age, and population numbers;
Monitors fish populations using a variety of instruments;
Tracks fish movements using telemetry on land, water and in the air;
Assists in habitat design and project planning;
Participates in breeding and rearing of marine species in hatcheries;
Collects and fertilizes eggs collected from fish;
Collects and analyzes stomach contents of fish for diet and nutrition;
Identifies contaminants in fish tissues;
Treats diseased fish;
Surveys lakes and waterways to identify fish species and water qualities;
Performs chemical and biological analyses of water samples to establish oxygen levels and alkalinity;
Tabulates fisheries data and prepares reports;
Participates in lake and stream reclamation projects;
Designs and constructs equipment for erosion control;
Samples and inspects commercial fishing catches and determines compliance with relevant laws and regulations;
Handles fishing gear on vessels;
Operates power tools and maintains fisheries facilities;
Responds to enquires from the public.

Educational Requirements:

Two-year or three-year college program in a field related to agriculture