Technical occupations in life sciences

How to become a conservation and fishery officer

Official title: Conservation and fishery officers

Also called: Game officer, Fishery officer, Fisheries officer, Fisheries observer, Fisheries inspector, Conservation officer, Fish and wildlife officer, Natural resources officer, Dockside monitor - fisheries, Fisheries officer supervisor, Dockside observer - fisheries, District inspector - fisheries

Conservation and fishery officers, inspectors and observers enforce federal and provincial regulations established for the protection of fish, wildlife and other natural resources and collect and relay information on resource management. They are employed by federal and provincial government departments.

Main tasks

Generate public awareness of fish and wildlife conservation and regulations
Conduct patrols by truck, aircraft, boat, or on foot, to ensure compliance with the provincial and federal statutes relating to fish, wildlife and the environment
Investigate complaints, arrest violators, prepare briefs and present evidence in court
Issue licences, export documents and special permits and collect royalties assessed on fish, wildlife and timber resources
Implement and supervise approved techniques in preventing or overcoming damage caused by wildlife
Perform resource protection duties, such as inspecting fishing gear and equipment and monitoring fishing activities for compliance with regulations
Gather resource data by making inventories of fish, collecting water samples and assisting biologists in scientific research
Supervise or provide firearms safety training courses and trapper education courses

How to become one

Completion of a college program in renewable resources management, environmental conservation or a related discipline is usually required. On-the-job training and courses related to law enforcement and resource management are provided. A class-5 driver's licence, pesticide applicator's licence and explosives licence may be required.

See the full NOC 2021 profile

Ways in

College or CEGEP: College or CEGEP program. 58% of workers hold a college or other non-degree diploma (Census 2021). Common fields: Environmental/natural resources management and policy; Natural resources conservation and research; Wildlife and wildlands science and management.

Pay · Outlook

Median pay: $70,005 a year The middle half earn $55,497 to $85,313.
About 3,200 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 3,400 are projected by 2033. (+6.3%)
Projected labour market to 2033: moderate risk of surplus.

Questions people ask

How do I become a conservation and fishery officer?

How much does a conservation and fishery officer earn in Canada?

Median full-time pay is $70,005 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $55,497 to $85,313.

Is a conservation and fishery officer a growing career in Canada?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6% by 2033, from about 3,200 to about 3,400 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).

Do you need a degree to become a conservation and fishery officer?

Usually not. Only 16% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: College or CEGEP program.

Sources

Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03