Also called: NOAA Enforcement Officer, Marine Fisheries Agent
Enforces ocean fishing laws and protects whales, sea turtles, and marine sanctuaries.
Fisheries officers board fishing boats to check catches, investigate seafood fraud (like cheap fish sold as red snapper), and protect endangered whales from harassment. They work closely with the Coast Guard.
Federal pay.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's degree; federal law enforcement training.
Ways in: 4-year college. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Marine Biology, Fisheries Science, Criminal Justice.
Growing slowly. Small agency.
Low risk for 10 years. Vessel tracking and on-board cameras flag violations; boarding boats and fraud cases stay human.
Classes: Marine biology, Biology, PE / swimming, Government.
Official data: O*NET occupation 33-3031.
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