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Fisheries Compliance Officers are responsible for the management, conservation and preservation of fish resources in each State/Territory of Australia, by ensuring species are not endangered or over-exploited.

The duties of Fisheries Officers vary greatly across the States. The type of work that they do often depends on the size and type of commercial fishing and aquaculture industry in their district. These officers may also serve as fisheries observers on naval patrol boats or they may be responsible for wildlife protection.

In some states these officers are also responsible for enforcing the laws that relate to boating in marine parks and protected zones.

What sort of tasks do they perform?

Fisheries Compliance Officers undertake a wide variety of tasks involving the exercise of compliance powers to assist in the judicial process of managing  fishing resources. They may:

• Patrol and investigate waterways for unlawful fishing activities &/or the removal of protected marine life, and to enforce relevant laws and regulations;
• Inspect fishing vessels, fishing gear and processing enterprises to ensure compliance;
• Liaise with industry on fishing regulations, export standards and licence renewals;
• Check that fish are sold through legal markets and that fish markets do not sell undersize fish;
• Investigate and report on alleged breached of legislation and provide evidence in court;
• Promote & provide education on fisheries resource management programs & policies

Qualifications and occupations

Bolding indicates a qualification appears on the Victorian Funded Course List, meaning subsidies are available for eligible students. Refer to the latest Funded Course List for more information.