AccountancyISCO 3359
Fisheries observer
Fisheries observers record and report on fishing activity and the level of compliance and enforcement of conservation measures in force in the work area by controlling the position of the vessel, the use of the fishing gear and the catch. They provide the reports required for the scientific monitoring of the fishing area, provide policy advice and plan and coordinate activities.
Check yourself in a minute: fisheries observer
Rate 5 of the 27 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
work in outdoor conditions
report harvested fish production
identity aquaculture species
monitor wildlife
write routine reports
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (27)
fisheries managementfisheries managementThe principles, methods and equipment used in population management applied to fisheries: the concept of catch, by-catch, fishing effort, maximum sustainable yield, different sampling methods and how ...fishing industryfishing industryThe business model of the fishing industry, including recreational, subsistence and commercial fishing, and the harvesting, processing, and marketing sectors.international regulations for preventing collisions at seainternational regulations for preventing collisions at seaFundamental aspects of the international regulations to prevent collisions at sea, such as the conduct of vessels in sight of one another, navigation lights and markers, major light and accoustic sign...fish identification and classificationfish identification and classificationThe processes which allow the identification and classification of fish.fishing gearfishing gearIdentification of the different gear used in capture fisheries and their functional capacity.pollution preventionpollution preventionThe processes used to prevent pollution: precautions to pollution of the environment, procedures to counter pollution and associated equipment, and possible measures to protect the environment.code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheriescode of Conduct for Responsible FisheriesFood and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and the guidelines established for professional fishers.International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from ShipsInternational Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from ShipsThe fundamental principals and requirements laid in the International Regulation for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL): Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Oil, Regulations fo...deterioration of fish productsdeterioration of fish productsProcess of decomposition and spoilage of fish products: physical, enzymatic, microbiological and chemical processes occurring after harvesting.fisheries legislationfisheries legislationThe study and analysis of different fisheries management approaches taking into account international treaties and industry norms in order to analyze fisheries management regulations.wildlife projectswildlife projectsWildlife and animal conservation projects, which aim to protect and preserve ecosystems and habitats of a wide range of animals under threat from urbanisation.fish anatomyfish anatomyThe study of the form or morphology of fish species.fishing vesselsfishing vesselsDenomination of the different elements and equipment of fishing vessels.risks associated with undertaking fishing operationsrisks associated with undertaking fishing operationsGeneral risks occuring when working on fishing boats and specific risks occurring only in some fishing modalities. Prevention of threats and accidents.quality of fish productsquality of fish productsFactors affecting the quality of fish products. For instance, differences between species, impact of the fishing gears and parasite influence on the preservation of quality.work in outdoor conditionswork in outdoor conditionsCan cope with the different climate conditions such as heat, rain, cold or in strong wind.report harvested fish productionreport harvested fish productionObserve and report fish harvest and variations from expected harvest quota.identity aquaculture speciesidentity aquaculture speciesIdentity major European farmed fish, shellfish and crustacean species.monitor wildlifemonitor wildlifeConduct fieldwork to observe wildlife.write routine reportswrite routine reportsCompose regular reports by writing clear observations on the monitored processes in a respective field.manage fisheries projectsmanage fisheries projectsConsult with contractors from both the governmental and private sectors in fisheries projects such as restoration efforts. Go over the proposed plans and provide expertise. Prepare applications for fi...survive at sea in the event of ship abandonmentsurvive at sea in the event of ship abandonmentIdentify muster signals and what emergencies they signal. Comply with established procedures. Don and use a lifejacket or an immersion suit. Safely jump into the water from a height. Swim and right an...handle fish productshandle fish productsHandle fish with care and hygiene required to maintain quality. Adequately prepare fish products for storage.monitor live fish collectionmonitor live fish collectionMonitor conditions during gathering of live fish, including stress in the fish.safeguard biodiversitysafeguard biodiversityProtect biodiversity among animals, plants and microorganism by adopting environmentally sustainable actions such as maintaining natural habitats and preserving nature.evaluate schools of fishevaluate schools of fishInterpret the information provided by electronic equipment and other aid about fisheries to evaluate the characteristics of a school of fish.apply fishery biology to fishery managementapply fishery biology to fishery managementManage fisheries resources by applying specific techniques based on fishery biology.
Optional (13) — show
monitor fish mortality ratesmonitor fish mortality ratesMonitor fish mortalities and assess possible causes.work in a fishery teamwork in a fishery teamWork as part of a crew or team, and meet team deadlines and responsibilities together.respond to changing situations in fisheryrespond to changing situations in fisheryAct decisive and in time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations in fishery.observe abnormal fish behaviourobserve abnormal fish behaviourObserve, describe and monitor abnormal fish behaviour in respect of feeding, swimming, surfacing.preserve fish samples for diagnosispreserve fish samples for diagnosisCollect and preserve larval, fish and mollusc samples or lesions for diagnosis by fish disease specialists.estimate fishery statusestimate fishery statusRecognize the basic biological data to estimate the status of a fishery: Recognize the captured species by simple ocular observation and compare the amount and size of catches to those of previous per...mark migrating fishmark migrating fishMark migrating fish with a hand-operated branding device using liquid nitrogen.inspect fish stockinspect fish stockCollect and examine fish to evaluate the health of fish stock.conduct fish populations studiesconduct fish populations studiesStudy captive fish populations to determine survival, growth, and migration.collect fish samples for diagnosiscollect fish samples for diagnosisCollect fish and shellfish samples for diagnosis by fish diseases specialists.perform lookout duties during maritime operationsperform lookout duties during maritime operationsMaintain a watch during maritime operations, in order to anticipate events and potential hazards.ensure the safety of endangered species and protected areasensure the safety of endangered species and protected areasEnsure that projects do not adversely affect migratory birds, rare or endangered animal species, critical habitat or environmentally protected areas.conduct research on faunaconduct research on faunaCollect and analyse data about animal life in order to discover the basic aspects such as origin, anatomy, and function.
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
fisheries master15 shared essential skillsfisheries boatmaster14 shared essential skillsfisheries boatman12 shared essential skillsfisheries deckhand12 shared essential skillsboatswain11 shared essential skillsdeep-sea fishery worker9 shared essential skillsfisheries assistant engineer7 shared essential skillsfisheries engineering technician7 shared essential skills
Frequently asked questions
What does a fisheries observer do?
Fisheries observers record and report on fishing activity and the level of compliance and enforcement of conservation measures in force in the work area by controlling the position of the vessel, the use of the fishing gear and the catch. They provide the reports required for the scientific monitoring of the fishing area, provide policy advice and plan and coordinate activities.
What skills does a fisheries observer need?
A fisheries observer needs 27 essential skills, including fisheries management, fishing industry, international regulations for preventing collisions at sea, fish identification and classification, fishing gear.
Will AI replace fisheries observer jobs?
The AI disruption score for fisheries observer is 21/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: write routine reports, report harvested fish production, fish identification and classification. Most resilient: deterioration of fish products, work in outdoor conditions, International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships.
AI Replacement Risk
21/ 100
Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
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