Fisheries Officer
SOC 33-3031.00 · ESCO 3359 · OSCA 311135
Role snapshot
Overview
Patrols waterways and coastal areas, including lakes, rivers, and oceans, to enforce fishing regulations, inspect catches, and ensure compliance with conservation laws. Conducts investigations into illegal fishing activity, gathers evidence, and participates in legal proceedings. Educates the public, commercial fishers, and recreational anglers about sustainable fishing practices, aquatic resource management, and safety regulations to protect marine and freshwater ecosystems.
Protects aquatic ecosystems and fish populations for future generations by enforcing regulations, preventing illegal activities, and promoting sustainable resource use. Ensures fair play among fishers and contributes to public safety on the water.
On the job
- Patrol waterways by boat, vehicle, or on foot to monitor fishing activities and respond to incidents.
- Inspect fishing licenses, gear, and catches to ensure compliance with size, bag, and season limits.
- Investigate violations, collect evidence, issue citations, and make arrests when necessary.
- Educate the public on fishing regulations, conservation efforts, and water safety.
- Participate in search and rescue operations and report environmental incidents or pollution.
Tools & technology
Average salary
Job outlook
StableDemand is steady. This is an established role with consistent hiring across sectors.
Education & training
A certificate or associate's degree in law enforcement, criminal justice, natural resource management, or a related field is often required. Some positions may prefer a bachelor's degree.
AI impact outlook
Note — this is our current view. AI is moving fast, so we revisit these ratings.
Show how this was assessed Hide the detail
Note — this is our current view. AI is moving fast, so we revisit these ratings.
Show how this was assessed Hide the detailWhy this role received this rating
Core task exposure
low
How much of the role’s important work could AI perform?
AI can assist with vessel tracking and data analysis, but physical patrols, on-site inspections, and enforcement actions are not exposed.
End-to-end automation
low
Can AI complete the work without substantial human involvement?
AI can flag anomalies in vessel movements or catch data, but cannot conduct physical patrols, board vessels, or enforce regulations autonomously.
Adoption pressure
moderate
How likely are employers to introduce AI into this work?
While AI offers benefits for surveillance and data analysis, the need for human presence in enforcement and public interaction limits widespread adoption.
Human dependence
strong
How much does success depend on human judgement, relationships and accountability?
Success depends heavily on human judgment during investigations, direct enforcement of regulations, and engaging the public on conservation.
Protective — a higher rating lowers the overall score.
Role adaptability
strong
How easily can the role evolve as AI takes on more tasks?
The role can adapt by focusing on complex investigations, community education, and integrating new surveillance and data analysis technologies.
Shown for context — not part of the score.
What AI may take on
These are the parts of the role most likely to be automated or significantly accelerated.
- Monitoring vessel tracking system (VMS/AIS) data for anomalies
- Analyzing catch data for discrepancies against quotas and regulations
- Identifying patterns of illegal fishing activity from large datasets
- Automating routine record-keeping and report generation
Where people remain essential
These parts continue to depend heavily on human judgement, relationships and accountability.
- Patrolling waterways by boat, vehicle, or on foot
- Conducting physical inspections of fishing licenses, gear, and catches
- Investigating violations and collecting evidence in the field
- Issuing citations, making arrests, and participating in legal proceedings
- Educating the public on fishing regulations and conservation
- Responding to environmental incidents and search and rescue operations
How the role may evolve
From broad patrol duties to data-informed enforcement and community outreach.
Officers will leverage AI for predictive analysis of illegal activities, allowing them to optimize patrol routes and focus more on complex investigations and community engagement.
Strengthen your future fit
- Proficiency with marine surveillance and data analysis tools
- Advanced investigation and evidence collection techniques
- Strong communication and public education skills
- Knowledge of maritime law and ecological conservation
- Ability to operate patrol vehicles and law enforcement equipment
- Assessment horizon
- 3–7 years
- Confidence
- High
- Last reviewed
- August 2026
- Methodology
- v1.0
This assessment reflects current AI capabilities and expected adoption patterns. Actual impacts will vary by industry, employer and the way each role is performed.
Career pathways
WHERE YOU COULD GO
CURRENT ROLE
Fisheries Officer
Government & Policy
ADJACENT MOVES
STARTING POINTS
Who thrives here
Interest profile
realistic · RCI
Individuals who are practical and enjoy working outdoors to enforce rules and investigate issues, often involving scientific principles, will find this role fulfilling.
Personality characteristics
Conscientious
Highly organized and disciplined in enforcing regulations, documenting activities, and adhering to legal procedures.
Agreeable
Able to interact calmly and constructively with diverse individuals, including those in confrontational situations, while maintaining authority.
Emotionally Stable
Maintains composure and effectiveness under pressure, during investigations, and in potentially dangerous or unpredictable situations.
Open-minded
Willing to learn new regulations, technologies, and approaches to conservation and enforcement, adapting to evolving environmental challenges.
Extraverted
Comfortable engaging with the public, commercial fishers, and stakeholders to educate, enforce, and build cooperative relationships.
Best for
- Individuals passionate about environmental protection, law enforcement, and aquatic ecosystems.
- Those who enjoy working independently outdoors and interacting with the public.
- People who are detail-oriented, resilient, possess strong communication skills, and thrive in structured enforcement roles.
Watch out for
- Can involve confrontational situations and working in challenging or unpredictable weather conditions.
- Requires extensive knowledge of complex and frequently updated regulations, necessitating continuous learning.
A week in the life
A representative working week for a Fisheries Officer — where the deep work, meetings, and admin actually land.
Real people. Real results.
Thousands of people
can't be wrong.
Frequently asked questions about Fisheries Officer roles
What does a Fisheries Officer do?
A Fisheries Officer patrols waterways and coastal areas, including lakes, rivers, and oceans, to enforce fishing regulations, inspect catches, and ensure compliance with conservation laws. Conducts investigations into illegal fishing activity, gathers evidence, and participates in legal proceedings. Educates the public, commercial fishers, and recreational anglers about sustainable fishing practices, aquatic resource management, and safety regulations to protect marine and freshwater ecosystems. Protects aquatic ecosystems and fish populations for future generations by enforcing regulations, preventing illegal activities, and promoting sustainable resource use. Ensures fair play among fishers and contributes to public safety on the water.
How much does a Fisheries Officer earn?
A Fisheries Officer earns a median of $65,000 per year in the US, typically ranging from $45,000 to $90,000.
What qualifications do you need to become a Fisheries Officer?
To become a Fisheries Officer, a certificate or associate's degree in law enforcement, criminal justice, natural resource management, or a related field is often required. Some positions may prefer a bachelor's degree. Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification.
What personality suits a Fisheries Officer?
Fisheries Officer roles tend to suit people who are highly conscientious — precise, organised and strong on follow-through (Conscientiousness 80/100) and steady under pressure — deadlines and setbacks do not rattle them easily (Emotional Stability 72/100). The traits that matter most in the role are Conscientious, Agreeable, Emotionally Stable and Open-minded. Highly organized and disciplined in enforcing regulations, documenting activities, and adhering to legal procedures. On interests, Fisheries Officer maps to a RCI Holland Code profile — individuals who are practical and enjoy working outdoors to enforce rules and investigate issues, often involving scientific principles, will find this role fulfilling.
Who does a Fisheries Officer role suit?
A Fisheries Officer role is usually a strong fit for these reasons. Strong Realistic affinity: involves hands-on work in outdoor environments and direct enforcement. High Conscientiousness is key for adherence to regulations, thorough investigation, and accurate documentation. The role offers a blend of independent patrol, scientific observation, and public interaction.
What are the downsides of being a Fisheries Officer?
Fisheries Officer roles come with trade-offs worth weighing up. Can involve confrontational situations and working in challenging or unpredictable weather conditions. Requires extensive knowledge of complex and frequently updated regulations, necessitating continuous learning.
What is the work environment like for a Fisheries Officer?
Work as a Fisheries Officer is mostly outdoors-based with onsite arrangements common, semi-structured — a mix of set processes and self-directed work, a moderate pace and high exposure to clients or stakeholders. Around 29% of the week is focused deep work.
What skills do you need to be a Fisheries Officer?
Core skills for a Fisheries Officer include Law enforcement procedures, Marine and freshwater biology, Investigation and evidence collection, Public education and communication and Boating and navigation.
How do you become a Fisheries Officer?
Common entry routes into Fisheries Officer roles include Conservation Aide, Park Ranger and Law Enforcement Cadet.
What career progression is there for a Fisheries Officer?
From a Fisheries Officer role, common next steps include Senior Fisheries Officer and Fisheries Investigator; lateral moves include Environmental Protection Specialist.
What is the job outlook for Fisheries Officer roles?
The outlook for Fisheries Officer roles is currently rated stable. Demand is steady. This is an established role with consistent hiring across sectors.
Will AI replace Fisheries Officer roles?
Traitstack rates automation risk for Fisheries Officer roles at 28 out of 100, which is low. AI can support surveillance and catch data analysis, yet critical in-person enforcement, investigation, and public education efforts remain human-led. AI is most likely to take on monitoring vessel tracking system (vms/ais) data for anomalies, analyzing catch data for discrepancies against quotas and regulations and identifying patterns of illegal fishing activity from large datasets. Patrolling waterways by boat, vehicle, or on foot, conducting physical inspections of fishing licenses, gear, and catches and investigating violations and collecting evidence in the field stay with people. From broad patrol duties to data-informed enforcement and community outreach. That score measures how much of the work could change, not the likelihood the job disappears. It is Traitstack's current view, revisited as AI capability moves.