Are you passionate about preserving aquatic ecosystems and ensuring sustainable fisheries management within your community? A career as a fisheries technician might be for you! What is a fisheries technician?
What is a fisheries technician?
A fisheries technician manages and conserves aquatic resources. This work encompasses data collection, habitat restoration, and community education—all aimed at preserving these vital resources for current and future generations.
A fisheries technician:
- monitors the health and sustainability of local fisheries, which are often integral to the cultural and economic well-being of a community, and
- works closely with community members, Elders, and leaders to implement Traditional Ecological Knowledge, alongside modern scientific practices to ensure the responsible harvesting of fish and other aquatic species.
Rassembler les éléments de votre carrière
La construction de votre carrière idéale est un processus dynamique qui peut être non linéaire. Il n’existe pas de voie ou de méthode unique pour y parvenir.
Il s’agit plutôt d’un parcours personnel, au cours duquel vous devez rassembler les pièces du puzzle, telles que :
- votre savoir autochtone et votre lien avec la culture,
- vos compétences,
- votre expérience, et
- votre éducation et votre formation en milieu communautaire.
Ces éléments sont aussi uniques que vous. Vos expériences de vie, vos liens personnels et vos croyances fondamentales façonnent les pièces et la manière dont vous les assemblez.
Savoir autochtone
Passed down through generations within your community, Indigenous Knowledge is at the heart of fisheries careers.
Indigenous Knowledge:
- encompasses Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) about local fish species, their behaviour, and the intricate relationships within specific aquatic ecosystems, and
- is deeply connected to engaging with Elders and community members, further enriching your understanding of and strengthening the bond between tradition, conservation, and community values.
Compétences
Skills reflect the practical abilities and expertise that you bring to your role as a fisheries technician within your Indigenous community.
Les compétences requises pour ce rôle sont notamment les suivantes :
- proficiency in data collection and analysis
- operation of specialized equipment
- fish handling techniques
- effective communication with community members
Expérience
Experience can include practical experience and hands-on work experience that you gain within your community.
L’expérience peut comprendre n’importe lequel des éléments suivants :
- internships
- mentorat;
- projets menés par la communauté;
- on-the-ground involvement in fisheries conservation
Through practical experience, you refine your technical skills and deepen your understanding of the connections between your community, the environment, and the sustainable stewardship of aquatic resources.
Éducation et formation communautaire
Education and training include both formal learning and community-based development needed for your career. Education and training may include the following:
- suivre des cours pertinents;
- obtaining certifications in fisheries science, and
- participer à des programmes de formation menés par la communauté.
These components help you build on your knowledge to thrive in your position, while upholding and respecting the values and traditions of your community.
As part of your education and training, you should complete the following safety certifications and courses to keep you safe and confident in your fisheries technician role. We have provided links to training organizations who offer these courses for further information.
Cours de secourisme
- Wilderness First Responder: Rescuers who specialize in decision-making, evacuation, and transport in a remote or wilderness setting. Suitable for those who work in remote emergency services, remote worksites etc.
Cours en matière de santé et sécurité
- Bear Awareness: The primary purpose of this training is to increase your awareness and understanding of bears, their behaviour, and how to reduce the risk of negative bear encounters. Bear awareness training is a type of education that focuses on the behaviours and habits of bears, how to identify signs of their presence, and how to minimise the risks of hostile encounters.
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS): WHMIS is a comprehensive system for providing health and safety information on hazardous products intended for use, handling, or storage in Canadian workplaces.
- Sécurité des tronçonneuses: Chainsaws are one of the most effective tools used to harvest trees and remove barriers. Using a chainsaw can be dangerous so it is crucial that you know how to maintain one and use it properly to avoid damaging the equipment or causing injury to yourself or others.
- Formation au système de positionnement global (GPS) : Having the ability to identify where you are and communicate with rescue personnel is an important part of keeping yourself safe in the field. The aim of this course is to introduce the principles of the Global Positioning System and to demonstrate its application to various aspects of Earth Sciences.
- Violence et harcèlement en milieu de travail: Fisheries technicians may face violence and harassment from coworkers or the public. Not only must employers, supervisors and workers be able to recognize these unwanted behaviours but they also must know their duties and responsibilities with respect to workplace violence and workplace harassment under the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations.
Cours propres à l’eau
- Small Vessel Operator Proficiency (SVOP): This is a Transport Canada approved online course for small vessel captains and crew.
- Restricted Operator Certificate – Maritime (Radio): The ROC-M course teaches emergency radio procedures and every day operating techniques.
- Swift Water Rescue Level 1: Swiftwater Safety Rescue Technician Level 1 course is designed for those that are required to be next to the water’s edge and in a low risk river environment.
Charting your career path as a fisheries technician
N’oubliez pas que l’éducation et le perfectionnement professionnel sont un voyage qui dure toute la vie!
Chaque étape du voyage sera unique pour vous, tout comme le sont vos expériences, vos relations et vos valeurs.
Votre savoir autochtone éclaire vos compétences et est complété par votre formation et votre éducation. Vos expériences pratiques font le lien entre la théorie et les applications pratiques, ce qui vous permet d’affiner et d’approfondir votre expertise.
By bringing together these pieces, you can build a meaningful career as fisheries technician. You can also continue to build on your experience as a fisheries technician to move into other roles in your career.
