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Fisheries biologist skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted experts

Lara Pacifici Ph.D.,

Srinivas Sonne Ph.D.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical fisheries biologist skills. We ranked the top skills for fisheries biologists based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 8.1% of fisheries biologist resumes contained fish species as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a fisheries biologist needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 fisheries biologist skills for your resume and career

1. Fish Species

Here's how fisheries biologists use fish species:

Managed fish species of concern on Fort Gordon Army Base.
Perform sex and reproductive analysis for various fish species.

2. GIS

A geographic information system (GIS) is a tool for capturing, storing, manipulating, analyzing, managing and presenting various forms of geographic data.

Here's how fisheries biologists use gis:

Created field maps with GIS and Google Earth to guide field crews during wetland delineations and stream surveys.
Assisted in Unassessed Water Surveys (UAW), water chemistry analysis, data entry and GIS mapping experience.

3. Data Collection

Data collection means to analyze and collect all the necessary information. It helps in carrying out research and in storing important and necessary information. The most important goal of data collection is to gather the information that is rich and accurate for statistical analysis.

Here's how fisheries biologists use data collection:

Performed population surveys, data collection, processing, cataloging and analysis.
Organized quantitative data collection and analysis using Microsoft Suite and database.

4. Harvest

Here's how fisheries biologists use harvest:

Analyzed monthly regional recreational fishery harvest estimates for managers Technical expert for CRFS survey design.
Organized and participated in elk population helicopter survey, utilizing census data to determine big game harvest values for upper management.

5. Steelhead

Here's how fisheries biologists use steelhead:

Oversee morning collections of juvenile Chinook salmon and steelhead at John Day Dam.
Developed first SOP for microscope histology of steelhead pyloric stomach.

6. Water Quality

Here's how fisheries biologists use water quality:

Monitored basic water quality parameters on district lakes.
Water quality, velocity measurements.

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7. Data Entry

Data entry means entering data into a company's system with the help of a keyboard. A person responsible for entering data may also be asked to verify the authenticity of the data being entered. A person doing data entry must pay great attention to tiny details.

Here's how fisheries biologists use data entry:

Conducted data entry and statistical analysis of laboratory and field research data for use in division-wide and international academic conference presentations.
Performed data entry and management in multiple databases, including reorganizing historical aerial stranding database for ease of use.

8. Statistical Analysis

Here's how fisheries biologists use statistical analysis:

Reported results to national and state agencies using graphical presentation and statistical analysis.
Developed survey/sampling methods and statistical analysis for LA CREEL program.

9. Fish Habitat

Here's how fisheries biologists use fish habitat:

Continue involvement in fish habitat-related projects.
Designed and evaluated fish habitat restoration.

10. Data Analysis

Here's how fisheries biologists use data analysis:

Used various statistical applications to perform data analysis and reporting on virus activity and mosquito populations in the city including mapping.
Identified and implemented system improvements to real-time data handling system that resulted in streamlined and faster data analysis.

11. Biological Samples

Here's how fisheries biologists use biological samples:

Collected large quantities of both statistical and biological samples while keeping them well organized.
Collected and documented Otoliths, salmon scales, and other biological samples to support the management of Alaska fisheries.

12. Fish Passage

Here's how fisheries biologists use fish passage:

Designed and built video weirs to document adult fish passage.
Operated fish passage to maintain the anadromous fish populations of the Saco River.

13. Analyze Data

Analyze data or data analysis refers to the practice of studying, organizing, and transforming data to make it more useful. It also includes the cleansing of non-useful information which helps in better decision making regarding any particular matter. Analyze data is a practice that is used widely in the field of business, social sciences, and science.

Here's how fisheries biologists use analyze data:

Collect and analyze data from both fishery dependent and independent surveys in Maryland's portion of the Chesapeake Bay.
Analyze data, produce reports on data collected and proposed management strategies.

14. Aquatic Habitats

Here's how fisheries biologists use aquatic habitats:

Served as a designated Federal contract inspector on watershed restoration (road decommission) and aquatic habitat improvement.

15. Biological Data

Biological Data refers to the information gathered from a living organism. This may be regarding the organism's genetic code, the products made from the organism, or the environment where the organism was found. This information is added to a biological database, which can then be accessed by biologists to review previously gathered data and genetic code.

Here's how fisheries biologists use biological data:

Collect recreational and commercial fishery qualitative and quantitative biological data at public and commercial offloading or processing locations.
Completed processing of biological data for a commercially regulated organism to inform policy on salmon commercial fishing.

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What skills help Fisheries Biologists find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on fisheries biologist resumes?

Lara Pacifici Ph.D.

Teaching Associate Professor, North Carolina State University

Skills that require specific training and practice to develop can really set apart an applicant. Expertise with Geographic Information Systems, R coding,, mist netting and bird banding are some examples from the field of wildlife management and conservation. Additionally, we look for internship and volunteer activities, undergraduate research, presentations, publications, and contributions and memberships in professional societies and student clubs.

What soft skills should all fisheries biologists possess?

Srinivas Sonne Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Biology, Paine College

Flexibility, Communication, Leadership, Team work, thorough understanding of underlying concepts for biological principles, etc., are required for Biology students.

What hard/technical skills are most important for fisheries biologists?

Srinivas Sonne Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Biology, Paine College

I would say knowledge of Biological Techniques, about following the protocols for the ease of use, Experimental plan and design, Research Protocols, Analytical methods, etc.

What fisheries biologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Christopher Herren Ph.D.

Teaching Assistant Professor, Kansas State University

For a gap year, get a job related to your major.

What type of skills will young fisheries biologists need?

Scott Cooper Ph.D.

Professor of Biology and Director of Undergraduate Research and Creativity, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

Students will need traditional lab skills, good record keeping, and the ability to do calculations in the lab and clinical settings. All jobs are using more technology, so facility with programs and databases is essential.

What technical skills for a fisheries biologist stand out to employers?

Joshua Raabe Ph.D.

Associate Professor, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point

Many graduates' first position is a field technician, so being able to handle and identify fish, trailer and operate boats, and use a variety of sampling equipment are essential skills. Management and research requires data analysis, so statistics, computer programming, and GIS are valuable skills. Finally, writing and communication skills are absolutely necessary to communicate science to the public and each other.

Do you want to know more?

List of fisheries biologist skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a fisheries biologist resume and required skills for a fisheries biologist to have include:

Fish Species
GIS
Data Collection
Harvest
Steelhead
Water Quality
Data Entry
Statistical Analysis
Fish Habitat
Data Analysis
Biological Samples
Fish Passage
Analyze Data
Aquatic Habitats
Biological Data

Boats
GPS
Management Plans
Technical Reports
Trout
NOAA
Nepa
Federal Agencies
Fish Health
Fisheries
ESA
Species ACT
Creel
Technical Assistance
Aquatic Resources

Gill Nets
Water Samples
Equipment Maintenance
Scientific Reports
Aquatic Organisms
Tissue Samples
Nmfs
Sport Fish
Fish Identification
Target Species
DNA
Species Identification
Seines

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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