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A
Job To Love
Imagine sitting in a boat on a shimmering
blue lake listening to the whistle of
a loon in the distance. Suddenly, you
see the daddy fish of all fish. It's
gliding side-to-side following a smaller
fish. You catch it, weigh and measure
it, then put it gently back in the lake.
The best part of this day is that you're
getting paid.
Fisheries
technologists study fish and their
surroundings to ensure the fish and
environment are healthy. They work
on rivers, lakes, streams, and oceans.
They work mostly outdoors, on their
own. Many fisheries technologists
choose to work in their home community.
Aboriginal fisheries technologists
make sure that the environment is
healthy for future generations while
ensuring their elders and family have
access to local foods.
To
be honest, no job is perfect. As a
fisheries technologist, sometimes
you'll work in the most miserable
weather imaginable. Sometimes the
workplace isn't very safe: you could
slip on a slimy rock and get carried
down the river; you could be attacked
by wildlife; or you could get sick
from contaminants in the water. There
will be days, when the daylight hours
are shorter, that you work from dawn
until dusk, scrambling to get all
of your work done. Then again, you
might like the challenges involved
in working outdoors.
Job
Description
Fisheries technologists take samples
of fish, water, soil, and plants. In
laboratories they use these samples
to determine how other wildlife and
human activity have affected the fish.
For example, a technologist might measure
the effects that a factory has on a
nearby river. With the information from
the laboratories they make recommendations
and work with scientists to create solutions.
Fisheries technologists work for the
government, universities, consulting
companies, environmental organizations,
and fisheries companies.
Job
Duties
- Study
fish for size, age, gender, diet,
life-cycle, and genetics
- Use
field equipment to gather samples
of fish, water, soil, and plants
- Use
laboratory equipment to test samples
for nutrients and chemicals
- Assess
effects of human activities such
as sport fishing and development
- Write
reports with recommendations for
improving fish habitats
- Build
programs to improve fish habitats
- Provide
advice on how to protect fish and
their habitat during economic and
industrial development
- Interpret
environmental laws that relate to
fish and their habitat
Fact
Female salmon carry between 2,500
and 7,500 eggs, depending on the species
and size of the individual fish.
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High
school courses that will prepare you
for this job include biology, chemistry,
earth sciences, English, and math. Aboriginal
studies, history, and languages will
prepare you for working in a multi-cultural
setting. Talk to your career or academic
counsellor about options such as physics
and calculus.
The
minimum educational requirement for
this job is a two to three year college
diploma in a field related to agriculture,
biology, microbiology, wildlife or
resource management. A bachelor's
degree in biological sciences will
make you more competitive. You'll
find it easier to get a job, and negotiate
your salary.
Before
entering the workforce fisheries technologists
may also require training in:
- Standard
and Wilderness First Aid
- Outdoor
Survival
- Orienteering
Look
into specific high school pre-requisites
set by the university you would like
to attend.
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Fisheries
technologists with a college diploma
make on average $39,000.00 per year.
Fisheries technologists with a university
degree make on average $47,000.00
per year.
Fisheries technologists with several
years of experience and education
can make up to an average of $59,000.00.
Financial Assistance
In addition to the general scholarship
tips listed in the BUILD MY CAREER
section, the following awards are
specific to fisheries technologists:
Underwater Harvesters Association
Research Society Award
$2,500.00 for a third or fourth year
student of Malaspina University College's
Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and
Aquaculture. Applicants must submit
a research paper.
Contact: Financial Aid and Awards
Malispina University College
900- 5th Street
Nanaimo BC V9R 5S5
Telephone: (250) 740-6423
Fax: (250) 740-6464
email: scholar@mala.bc.ca
Red Deer Fish and Game Association
Award
$500.00 for second year students of
Red Deer College.
Contact: Financial Aid and Awards
Red Deer College
Box 5005
Red Deer, AB T4N 5H5
Telephone: (403) 342-3254
Fax: (403) 342-3262
email: financialaid@rdc.ablca
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Some
of the best knowledge you will gain
for this job will come from listening
to the stories and wisdom of your
relations. Join your family on fishing
trips and ask your elders where they
used to fish.
Learn to identify different fish,
where they live at different times
of the year, and what they eat. The
time you spend outdoors will make
your studies easier. Your experience
with the natural world will be appealing
to employers too.
Relate
to people in similar jobs:
- Marine
biologist
- Hydrogeologist
- Water
treatment plant operator
Relate
and interact with fisheries technologists.
Ask them what they like about their
job and how you should get started.
The Canadian Council for Technicians
and Technologists
285 McLeod St
Ottawa, ON K2P 1A1
Telephone: (613) 238-8123
Fax: (613) 238-8822
email: ccttadm@magma.ca
website: www.cctt.ca
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
website: www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/home-accueil_e.htm
Relate with other students. Most colleges
and universities have Aboriginal student
associations and resource centres.
Visit these centres to find out what
they have to offer. Also look into
community centres, friendship centres
and multi-cultural centres.
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