Description
Study the biology, behavior, diseases, genetics, and life processes of fish and other aquatic organisms. Conduct stock assessments and habitat evaluations to support sustainable fisheries and aquatic resource management. Collect and analyze biological and environmental data to determine effects of fishing, water use, and development on freshwater and marine habitats.
- • Study fish and aquatic organisms in rivers, lakes, estuaries, and marine waters, assessing effects of fishing, water management, and industry, and recommending mitigation measures.
- • Estimate fish abundance, biomass, and population structure using surveys, mark-recapture, creel data, and hydroacoustics.
- • Identify and classify species; determine age, growth, and sex from otoliths, scales, and morphometrics.
- • Prepare technical reports, stock assessment documents, and peer-reviewed papers; present findings to agencies, councils, and community groups.
- • Investigate life history, migration, spawning, genetics, disease, and habitat use of target and protected species.
- • Manage projects, budgets, grants, and permitting; recruit and supervise field and hatchery crews.
- • Design and conduct field and laboratory studies, including telemetry, tagging, and controlled rearing experiments.
- • Coordinate fish health and invasive species monitoring programs to prevent and control outbreaks.
- • Collect, preserve, and curate specimens, otoliths, scales, tissues, and plankton samples for identification and analysis.
- • Perform necropsies and microscopic examinations for aging, diet analysis, parasites, and disease diagnostics.
- • Provide outreach on fishing regulations, seasons and limits, habitat conservation, and aquatic invasive species prevention.
- • Monitor compliance with fisheries and environmental regulations and refer violations to enforcement.
- • Develop and recommend fishery and habitat management plans, harvest regulations, flow and passage requirements, and restoration strategies with stakeholder input.
- • Conduct literature reviews and synthesize best available science to inform management decisions.
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O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
