fisheries engineering technician
Key facts
Do you enjoy hands-on work and have a knack for keeping machinery running smoothly? As a fisheries engineering technician, you'll be vital in ensuring the safe and efficient operation of fishing vessels by maintaining and repairing critical equipment.
Fisheries engineering technicians are essential crew members on fishing vessels, responsible for the upkeep and repair of complex machinery. Your daily work involves diagnosing and fixing issues with refrigeration systems, fish holds, and other vital equipment that preserves the catch and ensures vessel safety. This role demands a combination of technical skill, problem-solving abilities, and the ability to work effectively in a demanding maritime environment.
- • Perform routine maintenance on refrigeration units, pumps, and other mechanical systems.
- • Troubleshoot and repair malfunctions in fish hold environments, ensuring proper temperature control.
- • Inspect and test equipment to identify potential issues and prevent breakdowns.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.
Figures cover Science and engineering associate professionals — 267 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Belgium, Estonia, Finland, Netherlands and 2 more.
Longest-running shortage: Netherlands, 4 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
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Could fisheries engineering technician fit you?
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Future Outlook for fisheries engineering technician
The outlook for fisheries engineering technician reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could fisheries engineering technician change as AI adoption grows?
Human judgement, trust, and context remain strong protectors for this role.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How could fisheries engineering technician change as AI adoption grows?
Human judgement, trust, and context remain strong protectors for this role.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- extinguish fires
- survive at sea in the event of ship abandonment
- ensure vessel compliance with regulations
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- use technical drawing software
- perform scientific research
- use maritime English
Tasks most exposed to automation
- execute analytical mathematical calculations
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Advanced Manufacturing
A typical day as a fisheries engineering technician
09 09:00 · Morning ensure vessel compliance with regulations
10 10:30 · Mid-morning adjust engineering designs
12 12:00 · Midday approve engineering design
14 14:00 · Afternoon execute analytical mathematical calculations
15 15:30 · Late afternoon extinguish fires
17 17:00 · Wrap-up perform scientific research
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
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engineering processes
The systematic approach to the development and maintenance of engineering systems.
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fisheries legislation
The study and analysis of different fisheries management approaches taking into account international treaties and industry norms in order to analyze fisheries management regulations.
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fishing vessels
Denomination of the different elements and equipment of fishing vessels.
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international regulations for preventing collisions at sea
Fundamental aspects of the international regulations to prevent collisions at sea, such as the conduct of vessels in sight of one another, navigation lights and markers, major light and accoustic signals, maritime signalling and buoys.
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mechanical engineering
Discipline that applies principles of physics, engineering and materials science to design, analyse, manufacture and maintain mechanical systems.
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mechanics of vessels
The mechanical aspects and principles of vessels operations, and the technicalities and mechanical composition of boats and ships.
- engineering principles
- International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships
- mathematics
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extinguish fires
Choose the adequate substances and methods to extinguish fires depending on their size, such as water and various chemical agents. Use a breathing apparatus.
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execute analytical mathematical calculations
Apply mathematical methods and make use of calculation technologies in order to perform analyses and devise solutions to specific problems.
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adjust engineering designs
Adjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.
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perform scientific research
Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.
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use technical drawing software
Create technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.
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survive at sea in the event of ship abandonment
Identify muster signals and what emergencies they signal. Comply with established procedures. Don and use a lifejacket or an immersion suit. Safely jump into the water from a height. Swim and right an inverted liferaft while wearing a swim while wearing a lifejacket. Keep afloat without a lifejacket. Board a survival craft from the ship, or from the water while wearing a lifejacket. Take initial actions on boarding survival craft to enhance chance of survival. Stream a drogue or sea-anchor. Operate survival craft equipment. Operate location devices, including radio equipment.
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ensure vessel compliance with regulations
Inspect vessels, vessel components, and equipment; ensure compliance with standards and specifications.
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use maritime English
Communicate in English employing language used in actual situations on board ships, in ports and elsewhere in the shipping chain.
Skill DNA
Work personality traits and values that define this role
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Where does fisheries engineering technician fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
Frequently asked questions
- What specific qualifications are needed to become a fisheries engineering technician?
- While formal education requirements can vary, a strong technical aptitude and often a diploma or certificate in marine engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field are beneficial. Practical experience with refrigeration systems and mechanical repairs is highly valued.
- Is this role primarily on board fishing vessels, or are there land-based opportunities?
- The primary work arrangement for fisheries engineering technicians is employment on fishing vessels. However, some opportunities exist for self-business, such as providing mobile repair services to vessels in port.
- What are the working conditions like for a fisheries engineering technician?
- Expect to work in a physically demanding environment, often in confined spaces and potentially in adverse weather conditions. The role requires adaptability, resilience, and the ability to work effectively as part of a crew at sea.
- Fisheries Engineering Technician — is there a shortage in Europe?
- Yes. In the 2025 ELA/EURES edition, a shortage was reported in 6 of the 9 European countries that assessed this occupation group: Belgium, Estonia, Spain, Finland and 2 more. Netherlands has reported one for 4 consecutive years. These assessments are published per occupation group rather than per job title.
- Fisheries Engineering Technician — what does it pay in the United States?
- $49,430 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $36,050 to $65,360. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.