Major: Fishing and Fisheries
USDA/Ken Hammond
Almost every species of Pacific salmon is endangered or threatened. One way to make sure that salmon survive is to limit the number of fish that can be caught. However, people depend on fishing for salmon to make a living, and their needs must also be considered. What's more, overfishing is only one piece of the puzzle. Development -- from new highways to power-producing dams -- as well as pollution can disrupt the salmon's life cycle.
If you choose this major, you'll learn to look at the big picture and use methods from the biological, physical, and social sciences to make sure that fish populations, like the Pacific salmon, remain healthy.
Students in this major learn about the biology and ecology of fish and shellfish and study the areas where they live. They also examine the ways we produce, manage, and use these animals to ensure their protection.
“I enjoy the day-to-day work in fisheries science … because I integrate and apply many kinds of knowledge -- science, technology, and policy.”
Eric M. Hallerman, Associate Professor, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Are You Ready To...?
- Conduct biology and chemistry research in the lab and outdoors
- Complete group projects
- Get hands-on experience in an internship
It Helps to Be...
Passionate about the outdoors and comfortable handling animals. You should be interested in math, science, and computers. You must also enjoy working with people and be able to combine ideas from many fields.
College Checklist
- Does the program offer the courses required to get certified by the American Fisheries Society?
- Can you get a degree in fisheries science (better preparation for graduate studies) or fisheries management (better preparation for entry-level employment)?
- Will you get a chance to work with faculty or grad students on their research?
- Does the department have labs, experimental ponds, or aquariums? Are there nearby bodies of water?
- Will the department help you find an internship?
- How many students go on to graduate school or get jobs in the field?
Did You Know?
- A master's degree will make you more competitive in this field.
Course Spotlight
As one of your final courses in the major, you'll probably take a fisheries-management class. This course will pull together everything you learn in the life, physical, and social sciences. It’s a great opportunity to apply your knowledge by working with a group to come up with a plan for solving an actual fisheries-management problem. Your class will probably be small, so you’ll get a chance to interact with your professor.
Explore this major in more depth on MyRoad™