The Falkland Islands Government (FIG) is seeking dedicated and adventurous professionals to join its Fisheries Department as Fisheries Protection Officers (FPOs) — a role that combines marine enforcement, scientific awareness, and life at sea in one of the most remote and spectacular environments on the planet.

Located in the South Atlantic Ocean, the Falkland Islands are renowned for their pristine marine ecosystems and globally significant fisheries. Protecting these waters is vital not only to the Islands’ economy but also to the sustainability of international fish stocks. As a Fisheries Protection Officer, you’ll play a key role in ensuring that vessels operating within the Falkland Islands Conservation Zones comply with regulations designed to safeguard these valuable resources.

A Role That Combines Land and Sea

Fisheries Protection Officers divide their time between shore-based work and patrol operations at sea. Approximately one third of the role is spent aboard a chartered patrol vessel, typically for deployments lasting from one week up to a month. During these patrols, FPOs inspect licensed vessels, monitor fishing activities, and work alongside the patrol vessel crew to deter Illegal, Unlicensed and Unregulated (IUU) fishing while ensuring the welfare and safety of fishing crews.

When not deployed at sea, officers are based at the Fisheries Department where they undertake compliance and monitoring work. This includes conducting pre-licence inspections of vessels, managing reporting requirements for licensed fleets, analysing data from vessel tracking and remote sensing systems, and preparing case files where regulatory breaches have been identified.

The position requires independence, sound judgement, and the ability to work in challenging maritime conditions while maintaining a professional and calm approach when communicating with multinational crews.

Who Should Apply?

This opportunity is ideally suited to individuals with a background in marine or maritime professions who are looking for a role that blends enforcement, science, and adventure.

Applicants should hold a relevant Bachelor’s degree — such as Marine Science, Oceanography, or Fisheries Management — or possess a Marine Certificate of Competency or Skipper (Full) Fishing Certificate. Candidates with at least five years of equivalent experience in a similar role will also be considered.

Successful applicants will demonstrate integrity, professionalism, and strong interpersonal skills, particularly when communicating with people whose first language may not be English. A willingness to spend extended periods at sea and participate in weekend or on-call duties is essential.

Due to the operational environment and the use of the RAF Airbridge, applicants must hold a nationality that permits travel on this route.

What’s on Offer

This role offers far more than just a job — it provides the chance to live and work in a truly distinctive environment.

The position is offered on a fixed-term contract of up to four years with a starting salary of £35,774 per annum, rising to £41,168 depending on experience, alongside additional sea-going and on-call allowances.

Employees are also eligible for a 25% gratuity payment upon successful completion of the contract. The benefits package includes 30 days of annual leave plus public holidays (41 days total), time off in lieu for weekends worked at sea, relocation support, government-provided housing for rent, and flights for the employee and recognised dependents at the beginning and end of the contract, with additional annual return flights depending on contract length.

Life in the Falkland Islands

The Falkland Islands are a British Overseas Territory with full internal self-government and a welcoming, close-knit community. Despite their remote location, the Islands offer excellent public services, an active social calendar, and a relaxed pace of life.

Perhaps most remarkable is the natural environment. The Falklands are home to breathtaking coastal landscapes and extraordinary wildlife, including penguins, whales, dolphins, and seabirds — many visible right from the shoreline. For those with a love of the outdoors and a spirit of adventure, the Islands provide opportunities that are difficult to match anywhere else.

How to Apply

Applications for this position close 31 March 2026. Shortlisting will begin during the week commencing 6 April 2026, with interviews scheduled from 13 April 2026.

Interested candidates can view the full job description and apply HERE.

If you’re ready for a career that combines marine protection, international fisheries work, and life in one of the world’s most extraordinary environments, this could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.