22113 – Conservation and fishery officers
Lead statement
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.
Main duties
- 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.
Employment requirements
- 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.
Example job titles
conservation officer · district inspector - fisheries · fish and game warden · fish and wildlife officer · fishing area supervisor · fisheries inspector · fisheries observer · fishery officer · fisheries officer · forest ranger - wildlife management · game officer · game warden · natural resources officer · park ranger · fisheries inspector supervisor · fisheries officer supervisor · district supervisor - fisheries · dockside monitor - fisheries · dockside observer - fisheries
Wages (per hour)
| Province / territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $22.00 | $35.90 | $51.28 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $22.00 | $34.00 | $47.69 |
| Nova Scotia | $24.89 | $39.63 | $55.38 |
| New Brunswick | $30.22 | $35.28 | $51.28 |
| Quebec | $23.88 | $33.46 | $45.05 |
| Ontario | $21.95 | $35.90 | $67.00 |
| Manitoba | $25.38 | $35.89 | $49.76 |
| Saskatchewan | $29.71 | $41.60 | $57.04 |
| Alberta | $26.50 | $39.85 | $50.61 |
| British Columbia | $29.00 | $38.00 | $50.00 |
Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.
Occupation details: ESDC OaSIS 2025, based on NOC 2021.