A day in the life of a fishery officer in Cavan

Padraig Carroll, Cavan, North Western River Basin District, works as an assistant fisheries inspector in the area of fisheries development and he takes us through what it involves...

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

My day generally consists of going into the office in the morning, checking a few emails, and going out on site assessing structures for repair/replace or general maintenance and meeting landowners, and planning the week for the team.

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

I have always loved angling and I‘ve been angling all my life. My father taught me how to fish when I was six and I never looked back. I have worked in fisheries since 2017.

In my local angling club, we had completed work with Inland Fisheries Ireland, we had them in to do surveys and I just thought it was a great job to be in. The opportunity came when a general operative job arose in Roscommon and I was working in construction at the time so I said that was my chance. I applied for the job and got that contract. Then in the following season, I became a fishery officer. One thing led to another then, I went for a job in Cavan and then became a permanent fisheries officer and since then I’ve become an assistant fisheries inspector.

What is your favourite thing about the job?

The variety of the job, you never know what you’re going to come across or what you’re going to be doing. You could be going from power boating to putting up stiles, bridges, meeting anglers or weighing the World Pairs Angling Championship 2019 in Cavan like we did last year. That was great, we met all World Champions and International anglers and you get to talk to them and get their opinions. I would have seen those anglers in magazines when I was growing up and all of a sudden you’re there beside them getting photos with them.

When it comes to Fisheries Development work, seeing the improvements to angling structures make a difference is very rewarding. You could see a lake or river with no structure and then we meet with the angling club,  make the structures and then you see the anglers using them. That keeps you motivated.

Building and putting up stands and actually coming back and seeing anglers sitting on them. It’s great to see the progress which we can make - we have one completed and we’re working on the next one and before you know it, there’s an angler using it straight away it’s the best thing to see. Also seeing how the proper updated angling infrastructure keeps kids safe by ensuring they’re not standing in muck and water when fishing – that’s all important work if we want to secure the future of angling in Ireland

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

Communication and common sense; also a knowledge of angling as well that’s 90% of it I’d say.

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

A decline in youth angling, I have noticed it from even fishing myself to patrolling Cavan. We need to get more young people fishing, from speaking to the likes of international anglers, it’s the same for other countries.

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

I suppose doing red counts, you know seeing the spawning and the spawning habitat.

What are you most proud of in your working life?

Seeing angling structures make a difference. It is great to see the work actually benefiting communities.  Also working as part of a team is an important part of the job for me.  

What do you do in your spare time to unwind?

Angling and being in the outdoors.

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

I’d say go for it, you could end up with a lifelong career especially if you love the outdoors and if you’re into angling. You don’t have to love just angling, but an appreciation for the outdoors would be useful. If you love the outdoors and like working on or near water it’s the job for you. The variety of the job and working in the fresh air is great!

Inland Fisheries Ireland are recruiting for Seasonal Fisheries Officers, to find out more about the roles and how to apply, visit https://inlandfisheriesireland.recruitee.com/