Fisheries observer
Also known as: fishery observer, fisheries control reporter, fishing activity observer, fishing area observer
About this occupation
Fisheries observers record and report on fishing activity and the level of compliance and enforcement of conservation measures in force in the work area by controlling the position of the vessel, the use of the fishing gear and the catch. They provide the reports required for the scientific monitoring of the fishing area, provide policy advice and plan and coordinate activities.
Essential skills and knowledge
- International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships
- extinguish fires
- fisheries legislation
- survive at sea in the event of ship abandonment
- fish anatomy
- work in outdoor conditions
- quality of fish products
- handle fish products
- risks associated with undertaking fishing operations
- fishing gear
- deterioration of fish products
- pollution prevention
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Fishing and Hunting Workers (O*NET 45-3031.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Steer vessels and operate navigational instruments.
- Remove catches from fishing equipment and measure them to ensure compliance with legal size.
- Direct fishing or hunting operations, and supervise crew members.
- Interpret weather and vessel conditions to determine appropriate responses.
- Travel on foot, by vehicle, or by equipment such as boats, snowmobiles, helicopters, snowshoes, or skis to reach hunting areas.
- Select, bait, and set traps, and lay poison along trails, according to species, size, habits, and environs of birds or animals and reasons for trapping them.
- Typical education (US)
- Less than a High School Diploma
- Preparation
- Job Zone 2 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Conventional, Investigative
Top skills: Critical Thinking, Coordination, Judgment and Decision Making, Speaking, Monitoring, Time Management
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- GeographyO*NET: GeographyImportant (3.5)
- MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalImportant (3.4)
- Environmental ScienceO*NET: Biology + GeographyImportant (3.4)
- Government and PoliticsO*NET: Law and GovernmentImportant (3.3)
- BiologyO*NET: BiologyImportant (3.3)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageImportant (3.0)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Less than a High School Diploma
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Sailors and Marine Oilers
- Motorboat Operators
- Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels
- Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals
- Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse
- Forest and Conservation Workers
- Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers
- Agricultural Equipment Operators
- Fish and Game Wardens
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.