Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.

To work as a biological technologist or technician in B.C., you may choose to register with the College of Applied Biologists. Eligibility is achieved through completion of a recognized program and training courses.

Biological technologists and technicians

To work as a conservation and fishery officer that will set and detonate explosives in B.C., you must have blaster certification issued by WorkSafeBC.

To work as a conservation and fishery officer in B.C., you need the correct pesticide certification for the type of work you will be performing. Eligibility is achieved by passing the requisite exam through Service B.C.

Conservation and fishery officers

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.

To work as a self-employed aquaculture manager in B.C., you must pursue official licensing with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). Visit the website to learn more about licensing procedures specific to your operation. 

Managers in aquaculture

This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares individuals to select, culture, propagate, harvest, and market domesticated fish, shellfish, and marine plants, both freshwater and saltwater. These programs include courses in the basic principles of aquatic and marine biology; health and nutrition of aquatic and marine life; design and operation of fish farms, breeding facilities, culture beds, and related enterprises; and related issues of safety, applicable regulations, logistics, and supply.

Aquaculture

This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares individuals to plan, develop, manage, and evaluate programs to protect and regulate natural habitats and renewable natural resources. These programs include courses in the principles of wildlife and conservation biology, environmental science, animal population surveying, natural resource economics, management techniques for various habitats, applicable law and policy, administrative and communications skills, and public relations.

Environmental/natural resources management and policy, general

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.

To work as a biologist in B.C., you may choose to register with the College of Applied Biologists. Eligibility is achieved through completion of a recognized program and training courses.

Biologists

Managers in natural resources production and fishing

Wildlife Fisheries Bachelor's Degrees

Fisheries Wildlife And Aquaculture Diplomas

Biological technologists and technicians provide technical support and services to scientists, engineers and other professionals working in fields such as agriculture, resource management, environmental protection, plant and animal biology, microbiology, cell and molecular biology and health sciences, or may work independently in these fields. They are employed in both laboratory and field settings by governments, manufacturers of food products, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, biotechnology companies, health, research and educational institutions, environmental consulting companies, and resource and utilities companies.

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. They are employed by federal and provincial government departments.

Managers in aquaculture manage operations of facilities which cultivate and harvest fish, shellfish or marine plants for replenishment of wildlife stocks or for commercial sale. They are employed by public or private fish hatcheries and commercial aquatic farms, or they may be self-employed.

The FWR program provides students with relevant and practical hands-on learning through field labs and classroom experiences. Learning outcomes are aligned with current needs of government, the conservation and stewardship community and private industry.   Faculty liaisons and partnerships with industry, and input from the FWR Program Advisory Committee, ensure that learning outcomes reflect the needs for managing natural renewable resources in urban, rural, and wild land environments.

In Year One (first and second terms), the program provides students with a solid academic foundation and basic field skills for careers in renewable resources. The overall objective of course content and assignments in the first year is to create an understanding of the ecosystems in BC, renewable resource assessment, management, and inventory methods and standards.

This sets the foundation for Year Two (third and fourth terms) where students focus primarily on fish, wildlife, natural landscapes and parks and outdoor recreation management. During this second year, students spend as much time in the field as they do in the classroom.

A significant part of the second year is centered on a year-long applied research project. The project is done in groups of three and is normally undertaken for an external client (e.g., government agency, NGO). Upon completion of the diploma, graduates receive a Diploma of Technology and with work experience, can apply for a professional designation as a Registered Professional Biology Technologist (RPBTech) with the BC College of Applied Biology. Graduates of the FWR Diploma program are also eligible for entry in the BCIT two-year Bachelor’s Degree in Ecological Restoration.

Fish, Wildlife and Recreation: Diploma

The Aquaculture Technician diploma will advance your aquaculture career and expand your skills. This industry-informed training includes equipment and facility maintenance, grow-out and hatchery production and a directed research project. You’ll be prepared to work as an aquaculture technician, site worker, hatchery or site manager, fisheries researcher or environmental monitor.

Aquaculture Technician Diploma

The Recreation, Fish and Wildlife Technology (RFW) Diploma offers experience in cutting-edge technology with field-based learning giving you the hands-on skills and knowledge necessary to successfully compete for jobs like Park Rangers, Fisheries and Wildlife technologists, and Recreation technologists. Our outdoor classroom provides relevant learning experiences for you to gain valuable skills in backcountry recreation, fish and wildlife management, and get practical training in computer systems for environmental technologies, ecosystem health and management, fish and wildlife identification and management, parks and recreation management, avalanche awareness, and backcountry navigation and travel. This program can provide you with a 4-month Co-Op Education experience and transfers to several Canadian universities offering transfer into a variety of degree programs.

Recreation, Fish and Wildlife Technology Diploma

The Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology Diploma is designed to develop well-rounded technologists with a broad background in the practical and academic skills of fish and invertebrate culture, fisheries habitat and fish stock assessment, fisheries regulations, production management, and environmental control and planning. The first year provides a foundation in such basic conceptual areas as statistics, biology, English, habitats of fish and fish rearing methods. There is a weekly practicum, in which you are sent into the field for a day to work in various aquacultural, fisheries, or environmental consulting capacities (salmonid hatcheries, spawning channels, wild fish projects, oyster farms, invertebrate hatcheries and others), and students also work one half day each week on aquaculture or fisheries field projects on campus or in the field. Many courses also involve significant field experience.

Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology Diploma

The Resource Management Officer Technologhy Diploma is designed to prepare you for careers related to the protection and management of Canada’s fisheries, wildlife, and parks resources. You are required to participate in a 2-week practicum at an off-campus location in the Fall semester of the second year, and encouraged to seek employment with a resource management and protection agency, or in work related to natural resource enhancement or monitoring, in the summer between first and second year.

Educational Path

Fisheries Wildlife And Aquaculture Diplomas

Programs

Careers