What does a fisheries technician do?
Fisheries technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real fisheries technician resumes:
- Work closely with other project leads to make sure sampling protocols for Chinook, chum and steelhead are followed.
- Create maps using GIS software for end of season reports.
- Create maps using GIS software for reports and project specific needs.
- Utilize population dynamics in estimating assemblages of cutthroat and brook trout in high mountain streams.
- Assemble hatchery apparatuses and conduct fertilization and care for lake trout eggs including gamete collection in the field.
- Perform biological surveys for fisheries population estimates and result reports.
- Collect data on wild salmon populations used in management of in-river salmon fisheries.
- Train associates how to maintain and troubleshoot immunoassay instruments, prepare dilutions, evaluate interfering substances and perform accelerate stability testing.
- Evaluate ELISA and RT-PCR protocols for citrus tristeza virus detection and formulate ELISA test standard procedure.
- Analyze and collect species composition data using random sampling methods as described by NMFS standard operating procedure.
Fisheries technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Fisheries Technicians are proficient in Fish Species, Data Collection, and Data Entry. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Observational skills, and Technical skills.
We break down the percentage of Fisheries Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Fish Species, 12%
Operated fish traps on a daily basis keeping a log of all fish species that were caught in traps.
- Data Collection, 11%
Field sampling, data collection, record keeping, and maintenance of equipment, building, and grounds
- Data Entry, 9%
Performed data entry and organization.
- Biological Data, 5%
Collected biological data used for natural resource management.
- GPS, 5%
Utilized PathFinder GPS to document salmon spawning activity and habitat rehabilitation efforts.
- Ladders, 5%
Worked on extension ladders up to 40 foot high.
Common skills that a fisheries technician uses to do their job include "fish species," "data collection," and "data entry." You can find details on the most important fisheries technician responsibilities below.
Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a fisheries technician to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what fisheries technicians do because "biological technicians need to conduct scientific experiments and analyses with accuracy and precision." Additionally, a fisheries technician resume shows how fisheries technicians use analytical skills: "collected water quality data: temperature, turbidity and conductivity. "
Observational skills. Many fisheries technician duties rely on observational skills. "biological technicians must constantly monitor their experiments," so a fisheries technician will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways fisheries technician responsibilities rely on observational skills: "used keen observational skills and strong communication with conservation law enforcement to find and remove trespassers. "
Technical skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of fisheries technicians is technical skills. This skill is critical to many everyday fisheries technician duties, as "biological technicians need to set up and operate sophisticated equipment and instruments." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "authored technical reports detailing results of water quality monitoring. "
Communication skills. fisheries technician responsibilities often require "communication skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "biological technicians must understand and follow the instructions of their managing scientists." This resume example shows what fisheries technicians do with communication skills on a typical day: "advised clients on fisheries communication and negotiations strategies. "
The three companies that hire the most fisheries technicians are:
- Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission2 fisheries technicians jobs
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Compare different fisheries technicians
Fisheries technician vs. Laboratory internship
A laboratory intern is responsible for assisting laboratory operations and perform examinations and experiments under the supervision of tenured laboratory staff. Laboratory interns shadow all the laboratory processes, document their observations, and conduct an in-depth analysis of the results. They must have excellent knowledge of scientific procedures, demonstrating their class learnings to practical applications. A laboratory intern must be detail-oriented, especially on conducting and verifying the accuracy of research materials. It is also required for a laboratory intern to be a fast-learner, understanding the scientific complexities to master various approaches.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between fisheries technicians and laboratory internship. For instance, fisheries technician responsibilities require skills such as "fish species," "data entry," "biological data," and "gps." Whereas a laboratory internship is skilled in "lab procedures," "chemistry," "python," and "c++." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Laboratory interns earn the highest salaries when working in the technology industry, with an average yearly salary of $48,851. On the other hand, fisheries technicians are paid more in the government industry with an average salary of $35,143.The education levels that laboratory interns earn slightly differ from fisheries technicians. In particular, laboratory interns are 2.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a fisheries technician. Additionally, they're 1.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Fisheries technician vs. Biology laboratory assistant
A biology laboratory assistant is in charge of assisting scientists or researchers and performing laboratory support tasks on a daily basis. Their responsibilities include setting up and sanitizing equipment, preparing samples, maintaining documentation of all experiments and procedures, writing laboratory reports, and running errands as needed. There are also instances where they must update databases, answer calls and correspondence, and grade student papers. Furthermore, a biology laboratory assistant must maintain the cleanliness of laboratories, all while implementing its policies and regulations.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that fisheries technician responsibilities requires skills like "fish species," "data entry," "biological data," and "gps." But a biology laboratory assistant might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "lab equipment," "biology laboratory," "chemistry," and "anatomy."
On average, biology laboratory assistants earn a higher salary than fisheries technicians. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, biology laboratory assistants earn the most pay in the government industry with an average salary of $53,128. Whereas fisheries technicians have higher pay in the government industry, with an average salary of $35,143.biology laboratory assistants earn similar levels of education than fisheries technicians in general. They're 0.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Fisheries technician vs. Biological aide
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a fisheries technician is likely to be skilled in "data entry," "ladders," "trout," and "harvest," while a typical biological aide is skilled in "steelhead," "plant species," "tissue samples," and "research projects."
Biological aides typically earn similar educational levels compared to fisheries technicians. Specifically, they're 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Fisheries technician vs. Biological science aid
Types of fisheries technician
Updated January 8, 2025
