Fisheries

Technicians in natural resource fields like fisheries, wildlife biology, forestries, and water use scientific techniques that overlap with those in biotechnology. One example is eDNA where sampling is used to detect and identify DNA from the environment and determine if a species is present. 

Fisheries technicians work in fisheries management, hatchery operations, and aquatic resource conservation. They are expected to be able to identify regional freshwater and anadromous fish species and understand their biology. They will need to carry out field sampling, assess fish health, and recognize disease. The curriculum covers freshwater system evaluation, fluvial geomorphology, and water quality monitoring, with a focus on applying state and federal regulations. Graduates gain experience through field courses, developing the technical expertise needed to assist in conservation, restoration, and management projects as skilled fisheries technicians.

Courses in a fisheries program may include:

• Technical math
• Technical writing
• Dendrology
• Field sampling
• Wildlife biology
• Aquaculture
• Water quality
• Ecology