Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Fisheries Biologist
A Fisheries Biologist is a professional who delves into the intricate web of aquatic ecosystems, studying and managing the various species that inhabit our oceans, rivers, and lakes. Their role is crucial in maintaining the delicate balance of aquatic environments, ensuring sustainable practices and the well-being of aquatic life. In this blog post, we describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Fisheries Biologists.
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Main Responsibilities of a Fisheries Biologist
The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Fisheries Biologist:
Advise
Advise on the design of fish passage structures.
Analyze
Analyze data to assess the health of aquatic ecosystems.
Answer
Answer telephones, provide information to the public and schedule and conduct public tours.
Apply
Apply for Licences to Collect Fish for Scientific Purposes and prepare fish collection reports.
Apply tags (PIT / RFID, metal flipper) prior to sea turtle release.
Assemble
Assemble, coordinate, and analyze large freshwater datasets or lead junior staff to do so.
Assess
Assess the impact of fishing practices on non-target species.
Assist in
Assist in the care, maintenance and procurement of office equipment and supplies.
Assist in the preparation of written annual reports.
Assist sampling and data management staffs.
Assist with management and reporting of commercial fisheries data.
Assist with QA\QC and analysis of biological samples collected during sampling operations.
Attend
Attend scientific meetings and present scientific results.
Audit
Audit commercial landings data.
Catch
Catch and handle turtles in holding pens by snorkel.
Collaborate with
Collaborate with commercial and recreational fishermen.
Collaborate with government agencies on regulatory matters.
Collaborate with international organizations on fisheries management.
Collaborate with local communities on sustainable practices.
Collaborate with other scientists and researchers.
Collect
Collect, log, and process biological samples in laboratory and at-sea settings.
Conduct
Conduct field surveys to collect biological samples.
Conduct
Conduct environmental impact assessments.
Conduct fish population surveys.
Conduct water quality monitoring and construction monitoring for trenched and trenchless crossings.
Contribute to
Contribute to policy development at local and global levels.
Contribute to proposals and other business development activities.
Contribute to scientific publications and journals.
Contribute to the team's operational success by tracking workload and project budgets.
Coordinate
Coordinate and oversee field programs.
Coordinate and oversee freshwater ecology field programs and field staff.
Design
Design and implementing habitat restoration projects.
Design and implementing research projects.
Develop
Develop and maintain client and regulatory contacts.
Develop and maintain databases of fisheries information.
Develop and maintain educational materials.
Develop
Develop and implement fishery management plans.
Educate
Educate the public about fisheries conservation.
Enter
Enter storage location and process comments into database.
Evaluate
Evaluate and procure staff (with management input) for efficient project execution.
Evaluate the effectiveness of fish stocking programs.
Extract
Extract data and develop reports.
Handle
Handle turtles onboard fishing vessels and small boats in open water in support of TED testing.
Investigate
Investigate the impact of environmental changes on fish habitats.
Investigate the spread of invasive species.
Lead
Lead proposals and other business development activities.
Manage
Manage and prioritize time when executing multiple parallel objectives.
Manage, plan and lead freshwater fisheries programs (fish, fish habitat and water quality).
Manage weekly random sampling draw for port agents (implementation 2020).
Monitor
Monitor water quality and pollution levels.
Participate in
Participate in and support outreach goals of the laboratory and NMFS.
Participate in public outreach programs.
Participate in stakeholder meetings and consultations.
Perform
Perform computer data entry and analysis.
Perform general husbandry of captive animals.
Perform general office and clerical work including faxing, data processing, photocopying, scan.
Prepare
Prepare in the preparation of technical reports.
Prepare memoranda for distribution and materials for scientific reports and presentations.
Prepare or lead junior staff in the preparation of technical reports.
Present
Present findings to designated lead investigators.
Process
Process biological samples in laboratory and at-sea settings, including logging data.
Provide
Provide expertise in legal and policy matters.
Provide in-lab and field support of NMFS research and monitoring activities.
Provide Quality and Independent review for projects led by other freshwater ecologists.
Provide understanding of project goals and sound environmental project advise to clients.
Receive
Receive trip ticket data from states for dissemination to port agents for auditing.
Recommend
Recommend conservation and restoration strategies.
Resolve
Resolve discrepancies with designated lead investigator.
Study
Study the behavior and migration patterns of fish.
Travel
Travel is required throughout Western Canada for projects, client liaison and business development.
Travel throughout the GTA for projects, client liaison and business development.
Utilize
Utilize advanced technology for data collection and analysis.
Utilize GIS technology for mapping and analysis.
Most In-demand Hard Skills
The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Fisheries Biologist:
Statistical analysis and data modeling.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) proficiency.
Knowledge of fishery stock assessment methods.
Familiarity with advanced field survey techniques.
Experience with telemetry systems for tracking fish.
Expertise in habitat modeling and analysis.
Proficiency in the use of underwater technology for research.
Understanding of environmental impact assessment tools.
Knowledge of molecular biology techniques for genetic studies.
Competence in data visualization and interpretation.
Aquaculture management and breeding expertise.
GIS software proficiency (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS).
Remote sensing applications for aquatic ecosystems.
Familiarity with water quality monitoring tools.
Programming skills for data analysis (e.g., R, Python).
Experience with hydroacoustic technology.
Knowledge of fisheries management software.
Competence in underwater photography and videography.
GIS-based spatial analysis for habitat mapping.
Understanding of climate change modeling and impact assessment.
Most In-demand Soft Skills
The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Fisheries Biologist:
Effective communication for public outreach and collaboration.
Strong interpersonal skills for working in multidisciplinary teams.
Problem-solving and critical thinking in complex environments.
Adaptability to changing field conditions and research needs.
Time management for efficient project completion.
Leadership and decision-making in conservation efforts.
Collaboration and teamwork in diverse settings.
Excellent written and verbal communication for scientific publications.
Flexibility in adapting research methodologies to various ecosystems.
Empathy and cultural sensitivity in community engagement.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a career in Fisheries Biology demands a diverse skill set, combining technical expertise with effective communication and collaboration. Fisheries Biologists play a vital role in the conservation and sustainable management of aquatic ecosystems, making their skills indispensable in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
