A day in the life of a fisheries officer (2021)

What is it like to work on the ground for Inland Fisheries Ireland and could this be a job for you? Inland Fisheries Ireland has launched its annual recruitment campaign for Seasonal Fisheries Officers. Current fisheries protection officer Christine Meehan gives her story.

 9th March 2021      Inland Fisheries Ireland

FacebookMessengerWhatsAppViberTwitterEmail

IFI fisheries officers

Fisheries Officer:  Christine Meehan

Based in: Fermoy

River Basin District (RBD):  South Western River Basin District

What does a typical day in the life of a fishery officer look like?

I suppose there’s no real typical day because it’s very variable. It depends on what the conditions are like as well as what activities are happening at the time. Mostly it would be checking fish stocks and checking how many anglers are out fishing. Keeping notes of what you encounter every day, even the smallest observations, could be important. Chatting with anglers and getting information from them as well is very important. Also, a bit of helping out with research is mixed in there.

Did you always want to be a fishery officer and what persuaded you to become one?

Growing up I never knew about fisheries officers because I lived mostly by the sea and there wasn’t many rivers or lakes where I lived. When I was looking for work placement for college, I started chatting to a local fishery officer I knew and when she explained the job I thought it sounded good and so did my work placement with her. From then on I knew that’s what I wanted to do.

When did you decide you wanted to be a fishery officer and how did you get started?

At that time, during my work placement, I actually did environmental, protection and development work so I got to see all sides of the organisation and I suppose there I made roots and touched base with a good few people. I made contacts and figured out where I wanted to work in the country.

What is your favourite thing about the job?

I think it just has to be being outdoors all the time – I’m not an office person! I mean, it’s a nice break when you’ve got a really bad day outside but for me I just love being outdoors every day. I try and get out of the car as much as possible, even just to walk down the river.

IFI fisheries officer
Inland Fisheries Ireland fisheries officer Christine Meehan (centre) with colleagues Carl Owens (left) and Steven McKenna (right) out on patrol

What do you think about the most important skills needed for this position?

People skills really, being able to deal with all sorts of people. Either at a professional level or a casual level you need to build up a good rapport with people, especially with anglers. Also, just being easy to talk to and I suppose, when you need it, being able to make tough decisions as well.

What in your opinion is the biggest challenge facing the fisheries resource?

I have to say funding and there’s also not enough people out there either. Not enough people actually angling and using our rivers, lakes, and our coastlines – if more people are using them recreationally then they might want to protect them more. So that’s why I think, even on the education side of things, just trying to get people out angling is so important. Even if one person out of a whole group starts angling at least that one person will share their love of the rivers, lakes or sea and will hopefully try and protect it.

What is the most interesting thing you have discovered or seen in your job?

I think it was being about two feet away from a kingfisher. We were patrolling a river one day and we were moving along quietly and we realised we were just behind a branch where a kingfisher was perched. It was a special moment. The wildlife that you get to see in this job is second to none.

What are you most proud of in your working life?

I suppose my integrity. Of course, I’m not going to pretend I know everything or what to do in every situation because that varies. But I do know that I can trust the people around me and they trust me to do the right thing. If I don’t know what the right thing is they know that I’ll come to them and be willing to ask for help or advice.

What do you do in your spare time to unwind?

Mostly reading or swimming in the sea.

What would you say to someone thinking about a career in fisheries?

I would say just do it. You won’t regret it, if you love the outdoors you will love it.

Inland Fisheries Ireland patrol RIB
If you love the outdoors then a career as a fisheries officer might well be for you

Inland Fisheries Ireland fishery officer

Spend your summer in some of Ireland’s most beautiful locations patrolling, protecting and enhancing our lakes, rivers and waterways

Inland Fisheries Ireland is seeking applicants for the 2021 recruitment campaign for seasonal Fisheries Officers nationwide. The positions will see the successful applicants support the development and protection of Ireland’s fisheries resource during the summer period. There are numerous roles available across six operational districts.

The roles are available on a six-month basis with contracts commencing from Monday the 31st of May 2021 and training provided to all new recruits. Interviews will take place on the 14th, 15th and 16th of April 2021. The closing date for applications is Monday the 22nd of March 2021. Applicants should be available for interview on the 14th,15th and 16th of April 2021 with a start date on Monday the 31st of May 2021. The locations for the new positions will be based across the country in the following districts:

  • Eastern River Basin District: CityWest, County Dublin | Kilcoole, County Wicklow | Virginia, County Cavan | Drogheda, County Louth
  • South Eastern River Basin District: Enniscorthy, County Wexford | New Ross, County Wexford | Carrick on Suir, County Tipperary
  • South Western River Basin District: Bantry, County Cork | Farnanes, County Cork | Tralee, County Kerry | Kenmare, County Kerry
  • Shannon River Basin District: Listowel, County Kerry | Limerick, County Limerick | County Clare | Lough Sheelin, County Cavan | Drumsna, County Leitrim
  • Western River Basin District: Galway City, Lough Corrib, County Galway | Erriff Fishery, County Galway | Moy Fishery, County Mayo | Bangor, County Mayo | Ballina, County Mayo
  • North Western River Basin District: Cavan, County Cavan | Ballyshannon, County Donegal | Letterkenny, County Donegal | Clady Crolly, County Donegal | Northern County Donegal

If you think you have what it takes and would like to see a full job description and to find out how to apply please go to www.fisheriesireland.ie/careers

About Inland Fisheries Ireland

Inland Fisheries Ireland is a statutory body operating under the aegis of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE) and was established under the Fisheries Act on 1st July 2010. Its principal function is the protection and conservation of the inland fisheries resource. Inland Fisheries Ireland promotes supports, facilitates and advises the Minister on the conservation, protection, management, development and improvement of inland fisheries, including sea angling. Inland Fisheries Ireland also develops policy and national strategies relating to inland fisheries and sea angling and advises the Minister on same.

Covid-19

Inland Fisheries Ireland Fishery Officers are deemed essential workers and adhere to agreed Covid-19 work practice protocols.