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Careers

Get familiar with careers in fisheries

Sara smiles with a coil of kelp spores as the wraps a line at a farm outside the Science Center in Sitka

Ocean farmer

Spawn, raise and harvest ocean species like kelp and shellfish for food.

Recommended Paths:

  • Alaska Aquaculture Semester
Fisheries Technician

Fisheries Technician

Performs biological field sampling and research functions, often at remote river or ocean sites, sometimes camping with your team while taking water samples, monitoring fish habitat and looking for irregularities in the water.

Recommended Paths:

  • Occupational Endorsement
  • Certificate
Gabi approaches a pond full of juvenile salmon with a bucket of feed

Hatchery Manager

Responsible for all aspects of hatchery operations and following best practices of fish and shellfish culture techniques, including hands-on experience in fish/shellfish biology, personnel supervision, harvest management and maintenance of mechanical systems in remote locations.

Recommended Path:

  • Associate in Applied Fisheries
TaggingCrew.jpg

Fish Culturist

Performs general labor, site repair, collection of eggs, care of young fish or shellfish, then releasing them into the water. Work is hands-on and performed outdoors.

Recommended Path:

  • Occupational Endorsement
  • Certificate

Join our field visits with industry leaders 

Attend Futures Connect in Sitka

In December 2021, the UAS Sitka Applied Fisheries program and the Sitka Sound Science Center hosted a rapid-interview career event for all Sitka students involved in mariculture study and representatives from over a dozen organizations, including the US Forest Service, Sitka Tribe of Alaska, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Associations & Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association.

Jump on current industry openings

Fisheries Job Boards

Some peer institutions, wildlife and conservation societies, and peer institutions maintain job boards with postings relevant to UAS Fish Tech students. Surf these resources for a sense of open opportunities in the fisheries field.

  • American Fisheries Society

    The world’s oldest and largest organization advancing fisheries science connects students to opportunities with its nationwide membership of 8000+.

  • Alaska Department of Fish and Game

    ADFG employees lead the management of Alaska's wildlife resources, from Alaska Native subsistence culture to tourists' hunting and fishing experiences.

  • NOAA Fisheries

    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - NOAA Fisheries is responsible for the stewardship of the nation's ocean resources and their habitat.

  • Texas A&M Wildlife & Fisheries

    Nation-wide job board maintained for college-aged students in fisheries and related fields.

  • USAJobs and Pathways

    Openings with federal government organizations like NOAA, US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, US Forest Service, and Natural Resource Conservation Service.

  • Student Conservation Association

    Positions with SCA inspire the next generation of conservation and community leaders by engaging young people in hands-on service to the land.

  • The Wildlife Society

    Spans popular careers in wildlife conservation, including positions in management, biology, education, outreach and policy.

Positions with regional private, non-profit organizations

A network of Private Non-Profit hatchery programs across Alaska were built by fishermen to enhance the state’s commercial fisheries in the mid-1970s. Many Fish Tech students go on to work in these Southeast Alaskan sites, or with hatcheries across the state! 

  • Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation

    Founded in 1974 by a local commercial fishermen’s organization to optimize Alaska’s wild salmon, PWSAC brings budding fisheries technicians to remote hatchery sites amidst the natural resources of Southeast Alaska.

  • Douglas Island Pink and Chum, Inc.

    Formed by a group of Juneau residents responding to 1970s Private Nonprofit (PNP) grant legislation. The Kowee Creek Hatchery was formed in 1976 as the first "Mom and Pop" hatchery in the Juneau area, DIPAC now operates three facilities.

  • Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association

    In the Cook Inlet region, CIAA operates four salmon hatcheries: Eklutna, Trail Lakes, Tutka Bay Lagoon, and Port Graham. Salmon are raised in the hatcheries from eggs to fry or smolt, then released to the ocean.

  • Kodiak Regional Aquaculture Association

    KRAA has been enhancing salmon runs in the Kodiak area for over 30 years. Regional aquaculture associations were formed through legislative action prompted by Alaskan fishermen who lobbied against private enterprise in salmon fisheries (and for creation of the nonprofit hatchery associations).

  • Valdez Fisheries Development Association

    In 1978, Valdez fisheries was organized to rehabilitate salmon runs after the bitter cold winters of 1971-1973, which killed off most of the natural runs to Prince William Sound and caused several closed fishing seasons.

Check with our partners for career opportunities

Alaska Department of Fish and Game

Sitka Sound Science Center

Alaska Sea Grant

OceansAlaska

National Science Foundation

Sitka Tribe of Alaska

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association

Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association

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