Employment Areas of Engineers Graduated from Faculties of Fisheries
Fisheries engineers are professionals specialized in areas such as the regulation of fishing and aquaculture activities and the sustainable management of water resources. In Türkiye, their areas of employment are generally categorized under two main sectors: public institutions and the private sector.
(I) Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Türkiye:
Engineers work within the General Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture, which operates under this ministry. The directorate comprises five main departments:
Department of Fishing and Control
Department of Aquaculture
Department of Resource Management and Fishery Structures
Department of Statistics and Information Systems
Department of Administrative Affairs and Coordination
(II) Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change:
Engineers may work under the title of "Engineer" in water and environmental management units both in central and provincial organizations of this ministry. They can take part particularly in areas such as water quality management, marine and coastal area management, wastewater inspection, and biodiversity conservation within the General Directorate of Environmental Management.
(III) General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSİ):
Engineers are involved especially in activities such as the stocking of dam lakes with fish and the construction of fish passages.
(IV) Municipalities:
Fisheries engineers can work in various departments such as management of fish markets, food control, and environmental protection units.
(V) Universities:
Fisheries engineers are employed as both academic and administrative/technical staff. They may work as research assistants, lecturers, or specialists.
Besides these institutions, fisheries engineers may also work in public organizations like the Ministry of National Education (MEB), Coast Guard Command, and TÜBİTAK, provided they meet certain requirements. Furthermore, all general employment opportunities open to university graduates are also available to fisheries engineers.
For employment in public institutions, a score from the KPSS (Public Personnel Selection Examination) – particularly the P3 score type – is generally required. Placement is carried out centrally via preference guides published by ÖSYM. A minimum score of 70 is typically required. For academic positions at universities, an ALES score and additional criteria such as a valid language score may be required.
In the private sector, fisheries engineers are employed in a wide range of fields including aquatic production facilities and institutions serving the food industry. They can find opportunities in areas such as:
Aquaculture (fish farming)
Seafood processing and the food industry
Export and trade
Aquarium and ornamental fish sector
Environmental consultancy
R&D and biotechnology
Particularly in the fields of aquaculture and processing, fisheries engineering offers significant employment opportunities in areas such as production, fish health, processing, and marketing. The sector often struggles to meet the demand for skilled professionals. Graduates from faculties implementing the 7+1 internship model, which includes workplace training and allows students to gain industry experience, often secure employment contracts before graduation.
In the private sector, fisheries engineers can hold senior positions in various roles, such as:
Responsible Engineer
Fry Production Specialist
Fish Health Specialist
Feed and Nutrition Specialist
Marketing and Sales Specialist
Quality Control Officer
R&D and Product Development Specialist
Export and Quality Specialist
Foreign Trade Sales Officer
Ornamental Fish Breeder
Aquarium System Installation Specialist
Environmental Impact Assessment Specialist
Project Consultant and Designer
Fisheries engineers must have knowledge in various professional areas, both in public and private sectors. As this knowledge may not always be readily available and is often scattered across different sources, this undergraduate thesis aims to compile essential professional information into a single resource to support fisheries engineers throughout their careers.
