Science & ResearchISCO 2132

Aquaculture recirculation manager

Aquaculture recirculation managers control the production of aquatic organisms in land-based recirculation systems, manage water re-use processes and supervise complex circulation, aeration and biofilter systems.

Check yourself in a minute: aquaculture recirculation manager

Rate 5 of the 34 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

interpret scientific data to assess water quality

participate in the organisation of emergency drills

monitor fish health status

develop fish health and welfare management plans

manage recirculation systems

About aquaculture recirculation manager

As an aquaculture recirculation manager, you will oversee sophisticated, closed-loop systems that maximize fish production while minimizing environmental impact and resource consumption. Your primary responsibility is managing complex biofilter systems that recycle water for repeated use, maintaining precise water chemistry, and ensuring fish welfare throughout their growth cycle. You will work with advanced monitoring technologies to track water quality parameters, fish health indicators, and system performance in real time. Your expertise in recirculation systems technology makes you essential to modern, sustainable aquaculture operations.

This position requires both technical mastery and biological knowledge, as you must understand the delicate balance of microbial ecosystems within biofilters alongside fish physiology and welfare requirements. You will develop and implement health and welfare management plans, conduct water quality analysis, and manage emergency protocols. The growing emphasis on sustainable and high-yield aquaculture in Poland creates excellent career prospects. Experienced recirculation managers can advance to lead facility operations, consult for multiple facilities, or take on roles in system design and optimization.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a aquaculture recirculation manager.

1

Recirculation System Management

  • Manage complete recirculation systems including water intake, treatment, and reuse processes
  • Monitor biofilter performance and ensure optimal microbial nitrification and denitrification processes
  • Oversee circulation, aeration, and oxygenation systems to maintain adequate oxygen levels
  • Maintain water reuse efficiency through regular system checks and optimization
2

Water Chemistry Analysis and Management

  • Conduct comprehensive water chemistry analysis including ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and other critical parameters
  • Interpret scientific data to assess water quality and make corrective adjustments
  • Develop water treatment protocols to maintain optimal conditions for fish welfare
  • Monitor dissolved oxygen, pH, salinity, and temperature continuously
3

Fish Health and Welfare Management

  • Develop and implement comprehensive fish health and welfare management plans
  • Monitor fish health status through observation and diagnostic testing
  • Identify and respond to disease outbreaks promptly with treatment protocols
  • Conduct fish mortality studies to identify root causes and prevent recurrence
  • Ensure compliance with fish welfare regulations and best practice standards
4

Safety and Emergency Management

  • Maintain safety systems including fire-fighting equipment and backup power systems
  • Organize and conduct regular emergency drills and staff training
  • Develop emergency response protocols for system failures or water quality crises
  • Ensure all operations comply with health and safety regulations
5

System Maintenance and Staff Development

  • Maintain recirculation systems through preventive maintenance and equipment repairs
  • Identify and coordinate training needs for facility staff
  • Document system performance and maintain accurate records for compliance and optimization

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (34)

water chemistry analysiswater chemistry analysisPrinciples of complex water chemistry.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.fish identification and classificationfish identification and classificationThe processes which allow the identification and classification of fish.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.recirculation systemsrecirculation systemsThe characteristics and functioning of complex circulation, aeration and biofilter systems.biofilter systemsbiofilter systemsThe techniques used to control pollution via biofiltration processes.water reusewater reusePrinciples of water re-use processes in complex circulation systems.fire-fighting systemsfire-fighting systemsThe devices and systems used to extinguish fires; the classes and chemistry of fire.health and safety regulationshealth and safety regulationsNecessary health, safety, hygiene and environmental standards and legislation rules in the sector of particular activity.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.maintain safety systemsmaintain safety systemsPerform activities for the maintenance of fire fighting and related safety systems.participate in the organisation of emergency drillsparticipate in the organisation of emergency drillsParticipate in preparing and executing emergency drills. Take charge of on-scene response actions. Help ensure that written drill reports are logged properly. Make sure that all personnel adhere to pr...monitor fish health statusmonitor fish health statusMonitor the health of fish, based on feeding and general behaviour. Interpret environmental parameters and analyse mortalities.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.manage recirculation systemsmanage recirculation systemsManage pumping, aerating, heating and lighting equipment as needed in recirculation systems.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...maintain recirculation systemsmaintain recirculation systemsMonitor and maintain water circulation within holding units. Monitor the condition of the water filtering and purification equipment.conduct fish mortality studiesconduct fish mortality studiesCollect fish mortality data. Identify causes of mortality and provide solutions .make time-critical decisionsmake time-critical decisionsPursue optimal time-critical decision making within the organisation.carry out fish disease prevention measurescarry out fish disease prevention measuresCarry out disease prevention measures for fish, molluscs, and crustaceans for land-based and water-based aquaculture facilities.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...supervise biofilter systemssupervise biofilter systemsSupervise biofilter systems used to control water and air pollution.supervise aquaculture circulation systemsupervise aquaculture circulation systemSupervise circulation and aeration systems applying water chemistry analysis.monitor growth rates of cultivated fish speciesmonitor growth rates of cultivated fish speciesMonitor and assess growth rates and biomass of cultivated fish species, taking mortalities into account. Calculate and forecast growth rates. Monitor and assess mortalities.inspect fish stockinspect fish stockCollect and examine fish to evaluate the health of fish stock.monitor water qualitymonitor water qualityMeasure water quality: temperature, oxygen, salinity, pH, N2, NO2,NH4, CO2, turbidity, chlorophyll. Monitor microbiological water quality.treat fish diseasestreat fish diseasesIdentify the symptoms of fish diseases. Apply appropriate measures to treat or eliminate diagnosed conditions.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...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.fish gradingfish gradingThe method of how fish are graded according to their different characteristics: specification, size, quality and condition.manage recirculation systems equipmentmanage recirculation systems equipmentManage complex electrical, electronic and control equipment in recirculation systems.
Optional (13) — show
marketing principlesmarketing principlesThe principles of managing the relationship between consumers and products or services for the purpose of increasing sales and improving advertising techniques.cooperate with colleaguescooperate with colleaguesCooperate with colleagues in order to ensure that operations run effectively.plan marketing strategyplan marketing strategyDetermine the objective of the marketing strategy whether it is for establishing image, implementing a pricing strategy, or raising awareness of the product. Establish approaches of marketing actions ...communicate verbal instructionscommunicate verbal instructionsCommunicate transparent instructions. Ensure that messages are understood and followed correctly.develop personal skillsdevelop personal skillsSet goals for personal development and act accordingly. Plan personal development by analysing work experience and establishing areas that need development. Takes part in training sessions considering...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.encourage teambuildingencourage teambuildingStimulate teambuilding activities. Coach employees in order to help them reach their goals.use communication devicesuse communication devicesOperate communication devices in order to interact with customers, colleagues, and others.implement scientific decision making in healthcareimplement scientific decision making in healthcareImplement scientific findings for evidence-based practice, integrating research evidence into decision making by forming a focused clinical question in response to a recognised information need, searc...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...use IT toolsuse IT toolsApplication of computers, computer networks and other information technologies and equipment to storing, retrieving, transmitting and manipulating data, in the context of a business or enterprise.manage teamworkmanage teamworkPlan the working schedule of a group of people in order to meet all time and quality requirements. Supervise, support and instruct members of a team. Provide feedback to teams and individuals on work ...

Related Occupations

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Frequently asked questions

What does an aquaculture recirculation manager do?

Aquaculture recirculation managers control the production of aquatic organisms in land-based recirculation systems, manage water re-use processes and supervise complex circulation, aeration and biofilter systems.

What skills does an aquaculture recirculation manager need?

An aquaculture recirculation manager needs 34 essential skills, including water chemistry analysis, fishing industry, fish harvesting methods, fish identification and classification, fish biology.

Will AI replace aquaculture recirculation manager jobs?

The AI disruption score for aquaculture recirculation manager is 29/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: fish welfare regulations, write work-related reports, health and safety regulations. Most resilient: cooperate with colleagues, encourage teambuilding, carry out fish disease prevention measures.

Quick Facts

ISCO GroupScience and engineering professionals
Essential Skills34

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