Fisheries officers are accountable for the conservation and protection of fisheries, whether freshwater or sea. They help with the development of new fisheries legislation, which can involve preparing witness statements and now and then talking in court. Freshwater fisheries officials conduct field survey work, including surveys of fish stocks and technical project work. They counsel members of the general public and industry about supportable fishing and promote angling as a hobby.

Sea ( or sea ) fisheries officials manage, control, develop and protect the fisheries and work to sustain the sea environment. This includes checking fishing vessels at sea and implementing technical conservation measures for juvenile and spawning fish. Characteristic work activities The work of a fisheries officer varies dependent on employer and role, but for freshwater fisheries officials jobs generally include :

* controlling inland fish as well as salmon and sea trout up to the 6 nautical mile limit from the coast
* effecting the law of fish stocking
* cautioning or arresting suspected offenders
* preparing proof, writing reports and witness statements and infrequently talking in court
* surveying fish stocks, guaranteeing the right fish are in the right places
* conducting yearly surveys of streams
* electro-fishing and netting
* monitoring systematic info
* writing reports
* supporting recreational angling
* making a contribution to habitat improvement schemes talking with and advising external bodies e.g.

Angling clubs, councils and fisheries owners:-

* working with planning authorities, guaranteeing that new building doesn't have an harmful result on brook fisheries
* conducting environmental impact assessments
* approving and issuing licences for the movement of fish
* keeping current with legislation and topical systematic / technical developments.

Sea fisheries officials are usually concerned with:-

* operating and maintaining enormous, little or inflatable boats
* patrolling the shore up to 6 nautical miles from the shore
* stopping and looking fishing vessels in accordance with the Police and Criminal Proof Act 1984 ( PACE )
* explaining EU and nationwide legislation and local bylaws to fishing crews
* checking fish markets and grounds in ports
* handling fish and shellfish
* sampling biological examples
* handling special stock recovery measures for 'at risk ' fish stocks
* providing recommendation to members of the public, fishing crews and offshore fish farm chiefs.