Manufacturing & ProductionISCO 1312
Aquaculture husbandry manager
Aquaculture husbandry managers specialise in the husbandry of ongrowing aquatic species, especially in the feeding, growth, and stock management processes.
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Rate 5 of the 38 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
assess cage water quality
interpret scientific data to assess water quality
collaborate with animal related professionals
monitor fish mortality rates
monitor feeding systems
About aquaculture husbandry manager
As an aquaculture husbandry manager, you will oversee the day-to-day care and management of aquatic animals in commercial farming operations, focusing on fish health, welfare, and optimal growth. Your responsibilities encompass feeding regimes, water quality management, stock monitoring, biosecurity protocols, and equipment maintenance to ensure productive and sustainable aquaculture systems. You will analyze data on fish mortality rates, growth patterns, and feed conversion, making informed decisions to maximize yield while maintaining high animal welfare standards. You will work with veterinarians and aquaculture specialists, implement contingency plans for disease outbreaks and escape events, and document all incidents and operations. Your role is essential in balancing economic productivity with environmental responsibility and animal welfare in the aquaculture industry.
Key Work Functions
Core areas of responsibility for a aquaculture husbandry manager.
1
Monitor fish health and welfare
- Monitor fish mortality rates and health indicators
- Identify signs of disease and stress in aquatic populations
- Collaborate with veterinarians on health management
- Ensure compliance with fish welfare regulations
- Maintain records of health incidents and treatments
2
Manage water quality and feeding systems
- Assess and interpret water quality parameters
- Develop and monitor feeding regimes for aquatic species
- Monitor feeding systems and adjust feed delivery
- Interpret scientific data to assess water quality trends
- Manage effect of water currents on cage systems
3
Manage stock and biosecurity
- Monitor stock levels and assess growth rates
- Plan stocking densities and harvest schedules
- Implement biosecurity protocols and disease prevention measures
- Develop and maintain escapee contingency plans
- Record incidents, accidents, and husbandry events
4
Maintain equipment and collaborate professionally
- Maintain and service aquaculture cultivation equipment
- Assess equipment performance and identify maintenance needs
- Collaborate with veterinarians and aquaculture professionals
- Document production metrics and prepare reports
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (38)
effect of water currentseffect of water currentsThe impact of water currents on fish farms, in cages, ponds, lagoons and rivers.fishing industryfishing industryThe business model of the fishing industry, including recreational, subsistence and commercial fishing, and the harvesting, processing, and marketing sectors.fish harvesting methodsfish harvesting methodsKnowledge of up-to-date fish harvesting methods.animal welfare legislationanimal welfare legislationThe legal boundaries, codes of professional conduct, national and EU regulatory frameworks and legal procedures of working with animals and living organisms, ensuring their welfare and health.fish biologyfish biologyThe study of fish, shellfish or crustacean organisms, categorized into many specialised fields that cover their morphology, physiology, anatomy, behaviour, origins and distribution.fish welfare regulationsfish welfare regulationsThe set of rules that apply in fish harvesting methods which ensure fish well-being.rates of growth assessmentrates of growth assessmentThe different methods used to evaluate the growth of most important cultivated species.aquaculture production planning softwareaquaculture production planning softwareThe functioning principles and usage of a software dedicated to the planning of aquculture production.aquaculture cultivation equipmentaquaculture cultivation equipmentThe equipment used for aquaculture cultivation, such as pumps, aeration systems, filtration systems, fish feeders, hatcheries, tanks and cages and the equipment drawings and plans.escapee contingency plansescapee contingency plansThe procedures to follow in case there are escapees from cage systems.husbandry and harvesting effects on aquatic resourceshusbandry and harvesting effects on aquatic resourcesThe effects on aquatic resources, fish, mollusks and crustaceans of husbandry and harvesting activities.incidents and accidents recordingincidents and accidents recordingThe methods to report and record incidents and accidents in the workplace.biosecuritybiosecurityBe aware of the general principles of the concept of bio-security and in particular, the disease prevention rules to be implemented in case of epidemics endangering public health.assess cage water qualityassess cage water qualityAnalyse the quality of water by monitoring the state of temperature and oxygen, among other parameters.interpret scientific data to assess water qualityinterpret scientific data to assess water qualityAnalyse and interpret data like biological properties to know the quality of water.collaborate with animal related professionalscollaborate with animal related professionalsCollaborate with veterinary and other animal related professionals through communication of animal details, case records and summary reports orally or via written or electronic transfer.monitor fish mortality ratesmonitor fish mortality ratesMonitor fish mortalities and assess possible causes.monitor feeding systemsmonitor feeding systemsMake sure that feeders, feeding system and monitoring instruments are working. Analyse feedback from the instruments.maintain aquaculture equipmentmaintain aquaculture equipmentSupervise and maintain aquaculture equipment and machinery, such as containment systems, lifting gear, transportation gear, disinfection equipment, heating equipment, oxygenation equipment, electrical...plan aquatic resources feeding regimesplan aquatic resources feeding regimesMake the approapriate operations to ensure aquatic resources for feeding regimes, taking into consideration farming constraints:set up fish feeding regimes, check animal feeding behaviour and operate ...supervise waste disposalsupervise waste disposalSupervise disposal of biological waste and chemical waste according to regulations.ensure compliance with aquaculture standardsensure compliance with aquaculture standardsEnsure that operations comply with standards for sustainable aquaculture.develop fish health and welfare management plansdevelop fish health and welfare management plansDevelop a plan which lists risks from outdoor factors, such as predators, and pests.monitor the use of resources in productionmonitor the use of resources in productionObserve and check the use of resources such as food, oxygen, energy, water in the production process.manage aquatic resources stock productionmanage aquatic resources stock productionSet up a farm stock production spreadsheet and feed budget (feeding, growth, biomass, mortality, FCR, harvesting). Monitor and maintain stock production.write work-related reportswrite work-related reportsCompose work-related reports that support effective relationship management and a high standard of documentation and record keeping. Write and present results and conclusions in a clear and intelligib...control aquatic production environmentcontrol aquatic production environmentAssess the impact of biological conditions such as algae and fouling organisms by managing water intakes, catchments and oxygen use.develop stock health programmesdevelop stock health programmesDevelop a health and welfare programme for those aquatic resources under cultivation, in consultation with the fish health specialist.implement contingency plans for escapeesimplement contingency plans for escapeesCarry out contingency plans for cage escapees. Carry out fish capture escape operations.ensure cage safety requirements are followedensure cage safety requirements are followedEnsure that personnel comply with cage safety requirements.handle veterinary emergencieshandle veterinary emergenciesHandle unforeseen incidents concerning animals and circumstances which call for urgent action in an appropriate professional manner.manage water flows and catchmentsmanage water flows and catchmentsManage water flows and catchments in ponds, lagoons and sluices.implement fin fish feeding regimesimplement fin fish feeding regimesImplement daily fin fish feeding regimes to take account of environmental variations. Check feeding regimes are followed through the accurate implementation of feeding procedures. Implement adjustment...ensure aquaculture personnel health and safetyensure aquaculture personnel health and safetyMake sure that health and safety procedures have been established and followed across all aquaculture facilities including cages. Ensure that personnel and general public are instructed and all work a...supervise waste water treatmentssupervise waste water treatmentsSupervise waste water treatment according to environmental regulations.calculate aquatic resources growth ratecalculate aquatic resources growth rateCalculate and forecast growth rates. Monitor and assess growth and biomass taking mortality into account, based on the different methods of growth assessment.supervise pest and disease controlsupervise pest and disease controlScout for pest damage, order pesticides as needed and within given budget, supervise mixing and application of pesticides, maintain records of pesticide application.fish gradingfish gradingThe method of how fish are graded according to their different characteristics: specification, size, quality and condition.
Optional (21) — show
diving operation requirementsdiving operation requirementsThe operational plan and the contingency plan for the diving operation, the diving equipment to be used in the diving operation, the diving signals to be used in the diving operation, the in-water dec...code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheriescode of Conduct for Responsible FisheriesFood and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and the guidelines established for professional fishers.critique the dive with the dive teamcritique the dive with the dive teamAssess the dive with the dive team upon completion. Instruct the diver(s) so as to improve procedures and routines for future dives.deliver online trainingdeliver online trainingProvide training by using online technologies, adapting the learning materials, using e-learning methods, supporting the trainees and communicating online. Instruct virtual classrooms.speak different languagesspeak different languagesMaster foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.identify training needsidentify training needsAnalyse the training problems and identify the training requirements of an organisation or individuals, so as to provide them with instruction tailored to their prior mastery, profile, means and probl...develop outreach training plansdevelop outreach training plansDevelop training plans for outreach and visitor service assistants, guides and volunteers.conduct fish mortality studiesconduct fish mortality studiesCollect fish mortality data. Identify causes of mortality and provide solutions .evaluate trainingevaluate trainingAssess the realisation of the training's learning outcomes and goals, the quality of teaching, and give transparent feedback to the trainers and trainees.use communication devicesuse communication devicesOperate communication devices in order to interact with customers, colleagues, and others.perform diving interventionsperform diving interventionsPerform hyperbaric interventions at a maximum pressure of 4 atmospheres. Prepare and review the personal equipment and the auxiliary material. Perform and supervise the dive. Realise maintenance of th...operate small craftoperate small craftOperate small craft used for transport and feeding.maintain diving equipmentmaintain diving equipmentPerform maintenance actions, including small repairs, on diving equipment.prepare for small craft operationprepare for small craft operationPrepare for personnel operation of small craft, both with licence and without licence.check diving equipmentcheck diving equipmentCheck diving equipment for valid certification to ensure its suitability. Ensure that any diving equipment is examined by a competent person before use, at least once on each day on which it is to be ...have computer literacyhave computer literacyUtilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.communicate by telephonecommunicate by telephoneLiaise via telephone by making and answering calls in a timely, professional and polite manner.train employeestrain employeesLead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving the perform...operate an emergency communication systemoperate an emergency communication systemEfficiently operate common communication systems used in emergencies, such as base station mobile transmitters and receivers, portable transmitters and receivers, repeaters, cellular phones, pagers, a...provide on-site training in aquaculture facilitiesprovide on-site training in aquaculture facilitiesProvide on-site training in aquaculture facilities, through instruction and demonstration of skills. Provide, implement and supervise a training development plan.communicate verbal instructionscommunicate verbal instructionsCommunicate transparent instructions. Ensure that messages are understood and followed correctly.
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
aquaculture production manager20 shared essential skillsaquaculture harvesting manager13 shared essential skillsaquaculture husbandry technician13 shared essential skillsaquaculture recirculation manager10 shared essential skillsaquaculture cage technician9 shared essential skillsaquaculture hatchery manager8 shared essential skillsaquaculture recirculation technician8 shared essential skillsaquaculture harvesting technician7 shared essential skills
Frequently asked questions
What does an aquaculture husbandry manager do?
Aquaculture husbandry managers specialise in the husbandry of ongrowing aquatic species, especially in the feeding, growth, and stock management processes.
What skills does an aquaculture husbandry manager need?
An aquaculture husbandry manager needs 38 essential skills, including effect of water currents, fishing industry, fish harvesting methods, animal welfare legislation, fish biology.
Will AI replace aquaculture husbandry manager jobs?
The AI disruption score for aquaculture husbandry manager is 27/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: fish welfare regulations, incidents and accidents recording, write work-related reports. Most resilient: perform diving interventions, escapee contingency plans, maintain diving equipment.
AI Replacement Risk
27/ 100
Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
ISCO GroupProduction and specialised services managers
Essential Skills38
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