Fish Farm Manager

Fish farm managers run one or more fish farms where fish are raised in ponds, tanks or cages in the water. Most fish such as salmon, trout or shellfish are farmed for food, but some are bred for angling or for ornamental ponds.

The Work

You could be:

• checking the growth of fish from eggs to fish ready for harvesting


• recruiting, supervising and training the staff who feed fish and clean tanks


• making sure hygiene standards are high, to prevent disease


• checking that water conditions are right for the fish


• keeping records of the numbers and size of fish


• ordering equipment, chemicals and fish feed


• keeping financial records, planning budgets and carrying out a range of administrative duties


• arranging for stock to be sold


• carrying out research into fish farming.

Conditions

• You could work for a variety of different organisations, including commercial fish farms, private estates and angling organisations.
  
• In most cases, you would have to live in the country or by the sea, often in a remote area.


• Working hours can be unsocial, including evenings and weekends, and you may have to work alone at times.


• You would work in an office but also outdoors in all weathers.


• The conditions are often wet and cold.


• You might have to do heavy lifting.


• You would need to be able to cope with the sight of blood, and you would have to wear protective clothing.

Getting In

• Entry is competitive and there is no single entry route.


• You may be able to work your way up from being a fish farm worker.


• In many cases, however, entrants have a Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Higher National Diploma (HND) or degree in a subject such as aquaculture, aquatic science, marine and coastal resource management or marine biology. Qualifications in other biological or environmental subjects or in chemistry may also be acceptable.


• Entry requirements for an HNC or HND are usually 2 Highers plus 5 Standard grades including English and Maths. Entry requirements for a degree are usually 3-4 Highers, including 1 or more Maths or science subjects.


• There are also relevant postgraduate courses available at Aberdeen, Heriot-Watt, Edinburgh Napier and Stirling Universities.
  
• Previous work experience in a fishery is helpful.


• A driving licence is usually required.


• Engineering and building skills are useful.


• You must be fit as there is a lot of standing, bending and lifting sacks of feed.


• You should not be allergic to the chemicals used on fish farms.

What Does It Take?

You need to be:

• interested in fish farming


• willing to take responsibility


• a good organiser


• able to manage people


• able to train staff


• able to plan budgets and keep accounts


• interested in science and technology.

• a knowledge of the biological science underpinning fish farming


• a good business sense


• good IT skills


• an eye for detail to spot signs of disease in fish


• sound judgement.

Training

• You would train and gain experience on-the-job.


• You need to keep up-to-date with developments in fish health, nutrition and water management.


• You would be able to study part-time for relevant qualifications or upgrade those you already have.


• There are Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) in Aquaculture at Levels 2 and 3.


• You can also study by distance learning for a certificate or diploma from the Institute of Fisheries Management.

Getting On

• You may start as assistant manager of a fish farm and move on to manager after sufficient training and experience.


• With further experience you could become manager of a large group of fish farms.


• If you have the right qualifications, you might be able to move into scientific or technical work, such as research.
  
• You might set up and run your own fish farm, but costs would be high.


• Fish farming is a growing industry throughout the world, so there may be opportunities to work abroad. There are possible openings in parts of Europe including Norway, as well as Asia, Australia and South America.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

• where you work


• the size of company or organisation you work for


• the demand for the job.

More Information

Most Scottish fish farms are on the north and west coasts of the country, including the islands. Many are run by large companies.

Marine Harvest Scotland, a major salmon farming company, recently announced plans to expand its operations in the Western Isles. It will work with Job Centre Plus to fill over 40 vacancies once sites have been confirmed. Pre-employment fish farm training will help unemployed locals to gain the skills needed to apply for the jobs.

A new system called 'Open Sea' farming will involve small crews of workers working shifts on residential barges at fish farms off the west coast, Marine Harvest hopes to stock the new farms by Setember 2012.

Addresses

The following organisation(s) may be able to provide further information.