The Department of Fisheries has announced the recruitment of a team of around 110 officers (FMOs), who carry out a range of compliance-related activities in recreational and commercial fisheries and aquaculture operations around Western Australia. Tina Thorne, Strategic Compliance Manager, said Fishery Marine Officers played vital role in the community because after training the new officers appointed in numerous locations around the State, or as part of patrol vessel crews or recreational mobile patrol units.
Thorne also said that working as an FMO is a great job for people who enjoy interacting with a wide range of people and want to contribute to the management of WA’s valuable fisheries and aquatic environment. These officers help in educating public about the State’s fisheries, as well as ensure people comply with Western Australia’s fishing laws, marine safety obligations and the rules that apply in marine parks and other protected areas.
They interact with the stakeholders, industry and the community in general and, with experience, officers had the chance to carry out specialist investigative tasks, such as surveillance and intelligence operations. Thorne said that job of FMO is great one as they work closely with other agencies, including WA Police and the Department of Environment and Conservation, on a range of compliance matters.
She informed that the department is looking for people to a recruitment pool, from which appointees may undergo an intensive training program (during which they are paid), before being given the opportunity of becoming fully-authorised FMOs.
