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Fish Farmer

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Fish Farmer

Fish Farmer Career Details

Fish farming involves breeding shellfish and fish such as salmon and trout for the food industry. Some fish farmers rear other types of fish to stock lakes and rivers for angling purposes, or for ornamental ponds. Farms either breed their own fish by hatching eggs from adult stock or buy in young fish from elsewhere and rear them.

Freshwater fish may be kept in tanks, ponds, cages or concrete raceways. Marine fish are housed in large pens or sea cages. Shellfish are farmed in their natural marine environment.

The main areas of work in fish farming are:

  • feeding fish by hand or by filling hoppers that feed them automatically. Shellfish feed naturally from the sea
  • monitoring the health of fish
  • grading fish or shellfish by size and moving them to bigger tanks or other holding units
  • maintaining water quality by making regular checks on factors such as water temperature and oxygen content, cleaning filters and screens that trap leaves and other debris on freshwater farms, treating water before releasing it back into the river
  • harvesting fish when ready for sale
  • selling fish to the public and/or trade customers
  • maintaining buildings, equipment and fish habitats, including the cleaning of ponds and screens.
As most fish farms have small numbers of staff, managers usually do many of the above tasks, as well as supervising fish farm workers. They also keep records and accounts; buy fresh stock, feedstuff, equipment and materials; and are sometimes responsible for fish processing or smoking units.

Managers must also ensure that their enterprise complies with environmental standards and objectives agreed with local authorities, and that legal requirements are met.

Some fish farms provide angling facilities.

Working Environment

Fish farms operate seven days a week. Hours can be long and may include early mornings, evenings, weekends and emergency callouts. A rota system may be in operation.

Fish farms tend to be in isolated areas. Work is outdoors in all weather conditions. It is active work, involving heavy lifting, standing, bending and carrying.

It may be necessary to drive a vehicle to collect feed or equipment and deliver fish to local buyers, so a driving licence is often useful.

Fish Farmer Related Skills

To be a fish farmer you should:
  • have an enthusiasm for fish and their welfare
  • have a variety of practical skills eg woodwork, welding, basic plumbing
  • be able to work on your own, as well as part of a small team
  • have good health, be fit and able to cope with heavy work
  • be prepared to work outdoors in all weathers
  • have the ability to adapt to new technology
  • be able to swim
  • have business and communication skills and be highly organised.

Fish Farmer Career Opportunities

Further Career Information

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