Fish farm manager
A fish farm manager is responsible for the breeding and rearing of fish for the wholesale or retail trade. Farms breed their own fish by hatching eggs from adult stock and then rearing them before selling on to purchasers.
The work varies considerably and includes a wide range of skills. Fish farm managers can be responsible for:
Fish farming is an intensive animal husbandry business, and it is essential that post holders have an enthusiasm for fish and their welfare.
Trout farms tend to be quite small and stable and employ few staff, so the fish farm manager is likely to undertake a great deal of varied tasks. Other farms, such as salmon farms, are larger and employ a lot of staff. Salmon farms are located in many parts of the world including Scotland, Turkey and Chile, for example. Tasks are many and varied and can include the following:
Additional duties might include marketing and selling the produce, although this depends upon the individual fish farm.
Some farms specialise in retail and leisure activities, such as offering angling facilities, so the work may involve selling fish products.
Relevant degree subjects include aquaculture and fisheries management and applied chemical and biological sciences. The following subjects may also improve your chances:
A relevant degree may be useful but is not essential; practical skills and experience are considered more important.
HNDs are being phased out in favour of foundation degree courses so fewer are becoming available for study. The following subjects may improve your chances:
Entry without a degree or HND is commonly possible. Many fish farms are very small and do not demand high-level academic qualifications.
A pre-entry postgraduate qualification is not needed. However, attending a postgraduate course in aquaculture and related fisheries management courses can be advantageous for those who would like to work in this sector, and a PhD is essential for those wishing to go into research. Typical areas of research include disease, reproduction and genetics, nutrition, production systems, as well as environmental factors that affect the aquatic world.
Modern apprenticeships can be offered by certain farms. Programmes can differ throughout the UK so check with your national apprenticeship provider for full details.
Pre-entry experience is essential. It is highly unlikely that anyone without the practical skills used in fish farming would be successful in gaining a post.
Candidates need to show evidence of the following:
It can be helpful to get a vacation job on a fish farm to develop the practical skills and to see if you are suited to the work. Investigate postgraduate courses. Recruitment is throughout the year so check relevant publications regularly. Contacting fish farm owners speculatively is likely to be more productive. This is a highly competitive area. There are good opportunities in Scotland and on other larger farms. Contact the farms directly, or recruitment companies, to enquire about vacation work.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
Training is often provided on the job, although most employers expect entrants to have reasonable technical skills (acquired through work experience) as well as a sound academic grounding in the subject.
The training opportunities available often depend on the size of the fish farm.
The first six months of a trainee post involve doing basic manual work under the supervision of experienced staff. Once they have adapted to the particular working methods of their employers, graduates and Diplomates in fisheries-related subjects are often given supervisory or managerial responsibilities.
Employers expect that, in addition to relevant experience, graduates posses an academic understanding of fish farming. Several universities and colleges offer relevant postgraduate courses in fisheries management; search courses and research.
The Institute of Fisheries Management offers correspondence courses leading to a Certificate in Fisheries Management and a Certificate in Fish Farming. They also offer a Diploma in Fisheries Management. These qualifications are recognised by many employers and entitle their holder to professional status within the institute. This would be particularly useful for those entering the industry with non-relevant degrees and diplomas. Sparsholt College offers short courses in conjunction with the British Trout Association . Fish feed companies also provide training in aspects such as fish diseases.
Many fish farms are small and owner-managed, with the owner doing most of the work. Others are bigger concerns as the trend is towards larger units around the world. There are more possibilities for promotion to deputy manager and manager in the latter, which employ more staff. In larger companies, a clearly defined hierarchical structure may be in place, so trainees start as general fish farm staff before progressing to more senior positions.
Experience is essential for advancement but qualifications can help. There are limited chances to be your own boss, as lack of financing may affect your ability to expand or buy your own fish farm.
There are opportunities to transfer to government establishments to work in research, feed manufacturers and universities and colleges offering fish farming and related courses.
There are opportunities to progress throughout the UK, in continental Europe and in other countries, especially in the Far East.
Typical employers are mainly commercial fish farms, largely specialising in salmon and trout rearing (e.g. Marine Harvest ). However, there are also commercial farms that rear turbot, halibut, a range of coarse fish and shellfish. Some of these farms produce fish for the retail trade, whereas others rear fish for restocking rivers, lakes, ponds and angling centres. A small number breed ornamental fish for sale to pet shops and aquatic sales centres.
Other possible sources of employment include:
Those universities and colleges that offer degrees in fish farming and related subjects (e.g. Plymouth, Stirling, Bangor and Kings) normally conduct research on behalf of the government or for associated industries, such as manufacturers of fish feed and treatments for disease. You will need a PhD to be employed as a lecturer or researcher in this setting.
Local recruitment agencies and job centres sometimes handle vacancies in relevant areas.
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