Case studies: Fish farm manager: Phil

Phil enrolled on a HND course in aquatic and fisheries management. He now works as a fish farm manager...

After 13 years in the pet trade, Phil felt his career had stagnated. He had always been interested in fish and, as a lifelong angler, he thought a career in fish farm management would be a great opportunity to learn more about the life cycles and feeding habits of the fish he always tries to catch.

Phil enrolled on a HND course in aquatic and fisheries management, and the modules have been relevant to many aspects of his work. From freshwater ecology to statistical analysis, the knowledge base Phil acquired can be applied daily to many of his duties. The practical skills he acquired have also proven invaluable in both the fish farming and fishery management areas of his job.

During his studies, Phil was fortunate enough to get a work placement at the Environment Agency Calverton Fish Farm, where he learned the basics of Cyprinid fish production. His part-time work in the college hatchery gave him great on-the-job learning experience. Modules in water quality and freshwater ecology gave Phil further knowledge that can be applied directly to his work, especially where growing fish in outdoor ponds is concerned.

While on his course, Phil was given the opportunity to work in the college fish breeding unit on a part-time job-share basis. He got to know the previous owner of the fish farm he now manages when he delivered fingerling carp for him to grow on. When Phil finished his studies, he was offered the job of advising on, constructing and managing the fish hatchery and was tasked to take the fish farm from a 'growing on' facility to a full breeding farm.

Phil is responsible for all aspects of fish breeding including: broodstock selection, management and conditioning; artificial spawning and propagation of several species of Cyprinid fish and the growing on of those fish; maintenance of indoor warm and cold water re-circulating systems and outdoor growing ponds; water quality monitoring; record keeping; and assisting in aspects of stock sales. Visitor tours of the hatchery are also an occasional duty.

Although his original job title was hatchery manager, he has always been responsible for fish husbandry for the entire farm, including several outdoor growing ponds. He has now been formally appointed fish farm manager. The farm was sold around a year ago, and the new owners are developing part of the site as a commercial fishery. Phil's role is changing to encompass aspects of that side of the industry, which is enabling him to further apply knowledge and skills gained during his four years of study, especially as the new owners have little prior knowledge of the industry.

As there are few openings for this type of work, Phil would encourage those interested in fish farm management to enrol on a good aquatics management or aquaculture course that offers plenty of practical experience of fishery management and breeding techniques. He would also encourage securing a work experience placement at an established fish farm. It is almost a 24-hour-a-day job, so Phil says you need to be dedicated. You are dealing with live animals in an intensive farming situation, where only slight environmental changes could prove disastrous, so it doesn't pay to become complacent or blasé about your abilities.

Phil says that he particularly enjoys seeing a fish larva develop from first cell split to a hatched larva in less than four days. He says it never ceases to amaze him. He also enjoys seeing the amazed expressions when visitors ask what he does. Phil always enjoys talking about his work as it helps him remember what he knows!

Phil says he can't really think of any parts of the job he finds less enjoyable. He came into the job knowing the hours of work that he would have to put in. He can also see how that might put some people off - along with the cold, wet conditions experienced during winter harvesting of stock for sale. Ultimately, he has no complaints.

As Phil looks to the future, he says he's looking forward to seeing the fishery develop and to see the fish farm expand, with plans to breed more species. Having done some part-time lecturing when he was a student, he might like to go into that also. The next natural step would be to own his own farm, but as a realist, Phil says he's put off by the practicalities of such a venture, especially in today's economical climate.