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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Aquaculture Technician

💰 $30,000 - $55,000

AquacultureMarine BiologyFisheriesHatcheryAquaculture Technician

🎯 Role Definition

The Aquaculture Technician is a hands-on specialist responsible for daily husbandry, monitoring, and maintenance tasks that keep commercial or research aquaculture systems healthy, productive, and compliant. Primary duties include feeding and caring for fish and shellfish, conducting water quality testing, performing routine system maintenance (ponds, tanks, and recirculating aquaculture systems — RAS), implementing biosecurity measures, and supporting spawning and larval rearing programs. This role supports production targets, fish health, and data-driven decision-making for operations ranging from hatcheries and nurseries to grow-out facilities and research labs.

Core keywords: aquaculture technician, hatchery technician, fish husbandry, water quality monitoring, RAS operation, broodstock management, biosecurity, tank maintenance, feed management, fish health.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Aquaculture Assistant / Farmhand
  • Hatchery Aide / Nursery Worker
  • Fisheries Technician / Field Technician

Advancement To:

  • Senior Aquaculture Technician
  • Hatchery Supervisor / Aquaculture Supervisor
  • RAS/Vessel Manager / Production Manager
  • Fish Health Technician / Aquaculture Biologist

Lateral Moves:

  • Water Quality Technician
  • Laboratory Technician (aquatic pathology)
  • Aquaculture Sales or Technical Support

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Manage daily husbandry operations including precise feeding schedules, portion control, feed conversion tracking, and adjusting feeding programs based on biomass estimates and growth performance to optimize feed efficiency and reduce waste.
  • Conduct routine and event-driven water quality monitoring (temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, salinity, alkalinity) using handheld meters and probes, interpret trends, and implement corrective actions to maintain optimal rearing conditions.
  • Operate, monitor, and maintain recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), life support systems, pumps, filters, UV/ozone units, and aeration equipment; perform scheduled preventive maintenance and document repairs to minimize downtime.
  • Perform live animal handling for grading, sorting, vaccination, tagging, and transfer operations while applying best practices to minimize stress and injury, following animal welfare and biosecurity protocols.
  • Support spawning, broodstock conditioning, egg collection, fertilization, and larval rearing tasks including incubation, algal culture support, live feed production (rotifers, Artemia), and metamorphosis management.
  • Collect, prepare, and ship biological samples (tissues, swabs, water samples) for diagnostic testing; maintain sterile technique for necropsy support, histology preparation, or microbiology assays in coordination with fish health specialists.
  • Implement and enforce biosecurity, disinfection, and quarantine procedures for personnel, equipment, and stock movement to prevent disease introduction and spread within and between facilities.
  • Monitor fish health daily, recognize clinical signs of disease or stress, report abnormalities to the supervising fish health professional, and carry out prescribed treatments such as baths, medicated feeds, and topical or systemic medications under supervision.
  • Maintain accurate production records, inventory logs, feeding reports, mortality records, growth charts, and water quality data using farm management software, spreadsheets, or LIMS; provide regular production metrics to management.
  • Assist with stocking and harvest operations including weighing, counting, packing, and transport preparations; coordinate load-out logistics to ensure product quality and regulatory compliance during distribution.
  • Troubleshoot mechanical and biological system issues using root-cause approaches; escalate unresolved equipment failures or persistent water quality problems to engineering or management and implement interim mitigation steps.
  • Perform routine cleaning and sanitation of tanks, raceways, ponds, filters, nets, and work areas; manage waste streams, sludge removal, and effluent practices in accordance with environmental permits and company policies.
  • Conduct routine inspections of facility infrastructure (pond liners, net pens, tanks, walkways, electrical systems) and report hazards or maintenance needs; support or perform light carpentry, plumbing, and electrical repairs as trained.
  • Operate small vessels, forklifts, tractors, and cranes when required for stocking, maintenance, or harvest, adhering to site safety protocols and possessing required certifications or licenses.
  • Participate in sample-based research and monitoring projects by implementing protocols, collecting standardized samples, recording metadata, and collaborating with scientists to ensure data integrity.
  • Calibrate and maintain laboratory instruments and on-site diagnostic tools (pH meters, DO probes, spectrophotometers), prepare reagents, and follow QA/QC procedures to ensure reliable laboratory and field data.
  • Manage live feed and culture systems (microalgae, rotifers, Artemia) including inoculation, population maintenance, feeding regimes, and culture hygiene to support larval development programs.
  • Support biosecurity audits, internal inspections, and regulatory compliance activities, preparing documentation for third-party audits and implementing corrective action plans as needed.
  • Train and mentor new technicians and seasonal staff in safe handling, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and emergency response actions to promote consistent practices across shifts.
  • Participate in emergency response and contingency plans such as mass mortality handling, disease outbreaks, power loss procedures, and oxygenation events to protect stock and maintain regulatory compliance.
  • Control and manage predators and pests (birds, otters, invasive species) using approved mitigation measures, netting systems, and deterrent devices while complying with wildlife regulations.
  • Assist with budgeting and procurement by monitoring inventory levels for feeds, medications, spare parts, and consumables; recommend cost-effective suppliers and track usage to support operational planning.
  • Maintain health and safety standards by following PPE requirements, lock-out/tag-out procedures, confined-space protocols, and fall protection measures to ensure a safe working environment.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc production and research data requests by extracting, cleaning, and summarizing records for management and scientists.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, proposing process optimizations to improve survival, growth rates, and operational efficiency.
  • Assist with development and revision of SOPs, training materials, and facility manuals to capture best practices and regulatory changes.
  • Coordinate with regulatory agencies for permits, reporting, and compliance monitoring; prepare and submit required documentation under guidance.
  • Manage inventory reconciliation and ordering processes to ensure uninterrupted supply of feeds, reagents, and maintenance parts.
  • Participate in community outreach, facility tours, and client interactions to present operational practices and product quality attributes.
  • Provide logistical support for research trials, experimental setups, and pilot projects including constructing experimental tanks, tagging cohorts, and tracking experimental variables.
  • Assist in seasonal tasks such as pond draining, sediment removal, and fall/winterization procedures to prepare systems for low-temperature periods.
  • Facilitate cross-functional coordination with maintenance, engineering, procurement, and quality teams to align production schedules and capital upgrades.
  • Help maintain digital records and backups, ensuring data is accessible, well-organized, and compliant with company documentation standards.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Water quality analysis and interpretation (DO, pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, salinity, temperature) using handheld meters and probes.
  • Operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), pumps, blowers, biofilters, and UV/ozone systems.
  • Fish and shellfish husbandry: feeding strategies, grading, tagging, counting, and humane handling techniques.
  • Broodstock management and larval rearing, including live feed culture (rotifer, Artemia) and microalgae maintenance.
  • Basic diagnostic support: sample collection (swabs, tissues, water), necropsy assistance, and adherence to chain-of-custody for lab submissions.
  • Biosecurity and disinfection protocols, quarantine procedures, and disease prevention best practices.
  • Equipment and facility maintenance: plumbing, basic electrical, pump servicing, and filter maintenance.
  • Laboratory skills: reagent preparation, pipetting, microscopy, and routine QA/QC procedures.
  • Data entry and farm management software proficiency (e.g., AquaManager, FishFarm, Excel, LIMS).
  • Inventory control, ordering, and supply chain coordination for feeds, medications, and consumables.
  • Operation of light industrial equipment: forklifts, small boats, tractors (where required) with proper certifications.
  • Understanding of regulatory requirements and environmental permit compliance for effluent and waste management.

Soft Skills

  • Strong observational skills with the ability to spot early signs of disease, stress, or mechanical failure.
  • Problem-solving and troubleshooting mindset for biological and mechanical systems.
  • Clear written and verbal communication for documentation, reporting, and cross-functional coordination.
  • Team player who can both follow direction and take initiative in a fast-paced production environment.
  • Attention to detail in recordkeeping, dosing, and SOP adherence.
  • Flexibility and adaptability to work variable shifts, weekends, and in outdoor or controlled-environment conditions.
  • Physical stamina and safe work practices for lifting, standing, and repetitive tasks in wet/temperate environments.
  • Time management and organizational skills to prioritize daily husbandry, maintenance, and administrative tasks.
  • Coaching and mentoring ability to train seasonal staff and interns on SOPs and safety.
  • Commitment to animal welfare, environmental stewardship, and continuous improvement.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or equivalent with demonstrated hands-on aquaculture experience or vocational training.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate degree or Bachelor's degree in Aquaculture, Marine Biology, Fisheries Science, Biology, Environmental Science, or related field.
  • Relevant certifications (e.g., Aquaculture Production Certificate, RAS certification, First Aid/CPR, forklift operator).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Aquaculture / Aquatic Science
  • Marine Biology
  • Fisheries Science
  • Biology / Zoology
  • Environmental Science / Water Quality Technology
  • Veterinary Technology (aquatic focus)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–5 years depending on facility size; many positions require 1–3 years of hands-on hatchery or farm experience.

Preferred:

  • 2+ years of experience in hatchery operations, RAS management, or commercial aquaculture production.
  • Prior experience with broodstock programs, larval rearing, and live feed culture is highly desirable.
  • Demonstrated experience with water quality monitoring, routine maintenance, and use of farm management software.
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