Agriculture & EnvironmentISCO 6221
Aquaculture husbandry technician
Aquaculture husbandry technicians operate in aquatic organisms' production, specialising in the husbandry of ongrowing culture processes, especially in feeding and stock management.
Check yourself in a minute: aquaculture husbandry technician
Rate 5 of the 34 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
ensure compliance with aquaculture standards
inspect aquaculture equipment
assist with vaccination procedures
measure the impact of specific aquaculture activity
preserve fish samples for diagnosis
About aquaculture husbandry technician
As an aquaculture husbandry technician, you will manage the ongoing care and feeding of growing fish stocks in commercial farms, focusing on health, nutrition, and production efficiency. Your work involves daily monitoring of water quality, fish behavior, and feeding systems, as well as implementing management strategies that optimize growth rates and disease prevention. You'll maintain meticulous records of stock performance, coordinate with veterinarians and feed specialists, and ensure all operations comply with aquaculture standards. This role is essential to converting juvenile fish into market-ready products while maintaining animal welfare.
Key Work Functions
Core areas of responsibility for a aquaculture husbandry technician.
1
Daily Stock Monitoring and Health Management
- Monitor aquaculture stock health standards daily for signs of disease, injury, or nutritional deficiency
- Monitor fish mortality rates and investigate causes to prevent future losses
- Assist with vaccination procedures and coordinate with veterinarians for disease prevention
2
Feeding Operations and System Management
- Operate computerized feeding systems and monitor feeding behavior to optimize feed conversion ratios
- Monitor feeding systems for proper function and identify technical issues before they impact production
- Carry out feeding operations with attention to fish appetite, behavior patterns, and environmental conditions
3
Growth Assessment and Production Planning
- Assess rates of growth through regular sampling and measurement of fish populations
- Perform fish grading operations to sort fish by size and ensure appropriate stocking densities
- Use aquaculture production planning software to schedule harvest and manage inventory efficiently
4
Water Quality and Environmental Control
- Monitor water quality parameters including dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, and ammonia levels
- Control aquatic production environment through adjustment of aeration, water flow, and lighting
- Maintain aquaculture cultivation equipment to prevent breakdowns that could compromise fish health
5
Equipment Maintenance and Documentation
- Inspect aquaculture equipment regularly and perform preventive maintenance to ensure reliability
- Preserve fish samples for diagnosis and maintain detailed records of health and production metrics
- Carry out preparations for fish disease specialist consultations and implement recommended treatments
6
Compliance and Production Standards
- Ensure compliance with aquaculture standards and regulations throughout all production operations
- Identify aquaculture species correctly and maintain biosecurity protocols
- Measure the impact of specific aquaculture activities on production efficiency and animal welfare
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (34)
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.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.computerised feeding systemscomputerised feeding systemsThe functioning of computered controlled systems that provide animal feeding.ensure compliance with aquaculture standardsensure compliance with aquaculture standardsEnsure that operations comply with standards for sustainable aquaculture.inspect aquaculture equipmentinspect aquaculture equipmentInspect aquaculture harvesting tools and machinery to ensure that they work properly.assist with vaccination proceduresassist with vaccination proceduresAssist skilled professional with immersions and injection vaccination procedures.measure the impact of specific aquaculture activitymeasure the impact of specific aquaculture activityIdentify and measure the biological, physico-chemical impacts of specific aquaculture farm activity on the environment. Carry out all necessary tests, including collection and processing of samples fo...preserve fish samples for diagnosispreserve fish samples for diagnosisCollect and preserve larval, fish and mollusc samples or lesions for diagnosis by fish disease specialists.perform fish grading operationsperform fish grading operationsGather live fish using techniques which minimise the stress caused to fish and avoid fish escapes occurring. Grade them manually or using equipment. Report on the grading operation, ensuring complianc...carry out preparations for fish disease specialistcarry out preparations for fish disease specialistPrepare environment and equipment for fish disease specialist treatments, including vaccination treatments.operate small craftoperate small craftOperate small craft used for transport and feeding.ensure cage safety requirements are followedensure cage safety requirements are followedEnsure that personnel comply with cage safety requirements.use aquaculture heavy equipmentuse aquaculture heavy equipmentPerform manual operations such as manually lift, transfer position and set down a load. Operate lifting gear such as winch, sea crane, telescopic loader, and forklift.prepare for small craft operationprepare for small craft operationPrepare for personnel operation of small craft, both with licence and without licence.carry out maintenance of aquaculture equipmentcarry out maintenance of aquaculture equipmentMaintain aquaculture equipment and identify equipment needs. Carry out routine maintenance and minor repairs as needed.collect broodstockcollect broodstockSource broodstock from fisheries and held them in maturation tanks before collecting their seeds.treat fish diseasestreat fish diseasesIdentify the symptoms of fish diseases. Apply appropriate measures to treat or eliminate diagnosed conditions.maintain technical equipmentmaintain technical equipmentMaintain an inventory of cultivation equipment and supplies. Order additional materials as needed.swimswimMove through water by means of the limbs.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...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.apply fish treatmentsapply fish treatmentsApply prescribed fish treatments under supervision, including assistance with vaccination immersion and injection procedures.fish gradingfish gradingThe method of how fish are graded according to their different characteristics: specification, size, quality and condition.rear food fishrear food fishSpawn and rear food fish or exotic fish for commercial use.monitor aquaculture feeding behaviourmonitor aquaculture feeding behaviourMonitor aquaculture feeding behaviour of farm animals. Collect information on the growth of the animals, and forecast future growth. Assess biomass taking mortality into account. Recommend improvement...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...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.monitor feeding systemsmonitor feeding systemsMake sure that feeders, feeding system and monitoring instruments are working. Analyse feedback from the instruments.identity aquaculture speciesidentity aquaculture speciesIdentity major European farmed fish, shellfish and crustacean species.monitor fish mortality ratesmonitor fish mortality ratesMonitor fish mortalities and assess possible causes.monitor aquaculture stock health standardsmonitor aquaculture stock health standardsPerform activities that ensure monitoring and implementation of aquaculture health standards and health analysis of the fish population.monitor water qualitymonitor water qualityMeasure water quality: temperature, oxygen, salinity, pH, N2, NO2,NH4, CO2, turbidity, chlorophyll. Monitor microbiological water quality.
Optional (19) — show
escapee contingency plansescapee contingency plansThe procedures to follow in case there are escapees from cage systems.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.collect dead fishcollect dead fishGather dead fish in recipients like tanks and cages.cooperate with colleaguescooperate with colleaguesCooperate with colleagues in order to ensure that operations run effectively.work in outdoor conditionswork in outdoor conditionsCan cope with the different climate conditions such as heat, rain, cold or in strong wind.communicate verbal instructionscommunicate verbal instructionsCommunicate transparent instructions. Ensure that messages are understood and followed correctly.lead a teamlead a teamLead, supervise and motivate a group of people, in order to meet the expected results within a given timeline and with the foreseen resources in mind.speak different languagesspeak different languagesMaster foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.communicate in an outdoor settingcommunicate in an outdoor settingCommunicate with participants in more than one language of the European Union; handle a crisis following guidelines and recognise the importance of proper behaviour in crisis situations.make independent operating decisionsmake independent operating decisionsMake immediate operating decisions as necessary without reference to others, taking into account the circumstances and any relevant procedures and legislation. Determine alone which option is the best...work in shiftswork in shiftsWork in rotating shifts, where the goal is to keep a service or production line running around the clock and each day of the week.make time-critical decisionsmake time-critical decisionsPursue optimal time-critical decision making within the organisation.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...maintain diving equipmentmaintain diving equipmentPerform maintenance actions, including small repairs, on diving equipment.implement contingency plans for escapeesimplement contingency plans for escapeesCarry out contingency plans for cage escapees. Carry out fish capture escape operations.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 ...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...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.monitor larval growthmonitor larval growthMonitor the growth and health of the larvae.
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
water-based aquaculture technician15 shared essential skillsaquaculture cage technician14 shared essential skillsaquaculture harvesting technician13 shared essential skillsaquaculture husbandry manager13 shared essential skillsaquaculture husbandry worker9 shared essential skillsaquaculture recirculation technician9 shared essential skillsaquaculture harvesting manager8 shared essential skillsaquaculture rearing technician8 shared essential skills
Frequently asked questions
What does an aquaculture husbandry technician do?
Aquaculture husbandry technicians operate in aquatic organisms' production, specialising in the husbandry of ongrowing culture processes, especially in feeding and stock management.
What skills does an aquaculture husbandry technician need?
An aquaculture husbandry technician needs 34 essential skills, including fish biology, rates of growth assessment, aquaculture production planning software, aquaculture cultivation equipment, computerised feeding systems.
Will AI replace aquaculture husbandry technician jobs?
The AI disruption score for aquaculture husbandry technician is 21/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: computerised feeding systems, aquaculture production planning software, calculate aquatic resources growth rate. Most resilient: swim, work in outdoor conditions, work in shifts.
AI Replacement Risk
21/ 100
Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
ISCO GroupMarket-oriented skilled forestry, fishery and hunting workers
Essential Skills34
What are you missing to work as aquaculture husbandry technician?
The free skill gap analysis compares your skills with what this occupation requires and shows where to start.
Check your gaps