Fisheries Management

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Introduction to Fisheries Management

The popularity of angling brings lots of different opportunities to work in both wild and managed fisheries.

The industry needs enthusiastic, skilled workers to help protect and restore our rivers and fisheries and grapple with issues like climate change, pollution, overfishing, catchment management and changing freshwater habitats.

Jobs in fisheries management involve looking after wild fish stocks and their freshwater habitats, as well as working in commercial stocked fisheries.

Day-to-day tasks might include monitoring and surveying, managing fishery habitats, investigating fish health and stock levels, maintaining water quality, or doing technical project work. If you like working with the public then there are lots of opportunities to share your knowledge of sustainable fishing, or you may even get the chance to help enforce regulations to protect fishing and its habitats.

  • There is estimated to be over 3 million recreational anglers in the UK

  • Fish are a good indicator of river ecosystem health as well as supporting recreational and commercial fisheries

  • Recreational coarse and game fishing is a major tourism activity, providing direct financial benefits to local economies with almost all the spends going directly into the local community

  • It is estimated that more than 150,000 people participate in an angling activity each year in the Republic of Ireland, contributing a significant amount to tourism and recreation economies

Spotlight careers

There are a wide range of diverse career opportunities available to you in the Fisheries Management sector.

Fisheries Management

Project Officer

Project Officers will plan and co-ordinate project activities, including scheduling, reporting and delivery of outcomes.
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Fisheries Management

Water Quality Scientist

Water Quality Scientists test and analyse water samples and compare results with regulatory standards.
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Fisheries Management

River Trust Director

The River Trust Director is responsible for the day-to-day delivery and management of the trusts vision and strategy in a region or specific river area.
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What's a career in Fisheries Management really like?

Jamie Urquhart: Biologist

Biologist Jamie Urquhart talks about his career working in fisheries management on the River Dee.

Naomi Gibson: Assistant Fisheries Officer

Naomi has a seasonal role with the River Dee Fishery Board and Trust, and tells us about working in fisheries management.

Alison Baker: River Trust Director

Alison Baker is the Director of the Forth Rivers Trust - here she is talking about the work of the Trust and how she gained her Director role.

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