Agriculture & EnvironmentMarket-oriented skilled forestry, fishery and hunting workersISCO 6221
water-based aquaculture technician
Water-based aquaculture technicians coordinate and supervise activities on fattening aquaculture organisms in suspended systems (floating or submerged structures). They participate in extraction operations and handling organisms for commercialisation. Water-based aquaculture technicians supervise maintenance of equipment and facilities (cages, rafts, longlines, bouchot).
About water-based aquaculture technician
As a water-based aquaculture technician in Poland, you will coordinate and supervise daily aquaculture operations in suspended systems such as floating cages, submerged structures, rafts, longlines, and bouchot installations. Your role is crucial to maintaining healthy fish and shellfish populations while ensuring efficient production. You will monitor water quality, observe fish behavior for signs of disease, manage feeding operations, and supervise the maintenance of all equipment and facilities used in the farming system.
Your day-to-day work involves continuous observation and assessment of the aquaculture environment, with responsibilities spanning from routine feeding and growth monitoring to emergency disease response and facility maintenance. You will use computerized feeding systems and aquaculture production planning software to optimize operations and maintain detailed records. The aquaculture industry in Poland is growing, particularly in sea bass, sea bream, and shellfish farming. This role demands strong observational skills, knowledge of animal welfare and fish health, comfort working in marine environments, and the ability to operate small boats and heavy equipment.
Key Work Functions
Core areas of responsibility for a water-based aquaculture technician.
1
Daily Operations and Supervision
- Coordinate and supervise aquaculture activities across floating and submerged structures
- Manage feeding operations and monitor consumption patterns
- Supervise maintenance of cages, rafts, longlines, and equipment
- Organize daily work schedules and assign tasks to team members
2
Water Quality and Environmental Monitoring
- Assess and monitor cage water quality including oxygen, temperature, and salinity levels
- Control aquatic production environment parameters
- Record environmental data and maintain detailed operational logs
3
Fish and Shellfish Health Management
- Observe fish behavior and identify signs of disease or stress
- Monitor abnormal behavior patterns and report concerns immediately
- Apply fish treatments and medical interventions under supervision
- Preserve fish samples for disease specialist diagnosis
4
Growth and Production Monitoring
- Monitor growth rates of cultivated fish species and track development
- Perform fish grading operations and assess rates of growth
- Use aquaculture production planning software to optimize feeding and growth
5
Shellfish and Specialized Operations
- Organize shellfish depuration and handling for commercialization
- Participate in extraction operations and product preparation
- Perform fish grading and sorting for market requirements
6
Equipment Operation and Maintenance
- Operate computerized feeding systems and aquaculture management software
- Operate small craft and boats for aquaculture operations
- Carry out maintenance of aquaculture equipment and facilities
- Prepare for small craft operations and ensure safety readiness
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (22)
fish gradingfish gradingThe method of how fish are graded according to their different characteristics: specification, size, quality and condition.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.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.computerised feeding systemscomputerised feeding systemsThe functioning of computered controlled systems that provide animal feeding.assess cage water qualityassess cage water qualityAnalyse the quality of water by monitoring the state of temperature and oxygen, among other parameters.observe fish disease symptomsobserve fish disease symptomsObserve and describe fish disease symptoms such as lesions.carry out feeding operationscarry out feeding operationsCarry out manual feeding. Calibrate and operate automatic and computerised feeding systems. Monitor animal feeding behaviour.organise shellfish depurationorganise shellfish depurationPlan and monitor cleaning of shellfish from impurities.observe abnormal fish behaviourobserve abnormal fish behaviourObserve, describe and monitor abnormal fish behaviour in respect of feeding, swimming, surfacing.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...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...apply fish treatmentsapply fish treatmentsApply prescribed fish treatments under supervision, including assistance with vaccination immersion and injection procedures.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.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.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.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.swimswimMove through water by means of the limbs.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.
Optional (18)
fish anatomyfish anatomyThe study of the form or morphology of fish species.incidents and accidents recordingincidents and accidents recordingThe methods to report and record incidents and accidents in the workplace.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.develop aquaculture strategiesdevelop aquaculture strategiesCultivate strategies for aquaculture plans based on reports and research in order to deal with specific fish farm issues. Plan and organise work activities in order to improve aquaculture production a...maintain incident reporting recordsmaintain incident reporting recordsKeep a system for recording details of unusual events that occur at the facility, such as job-related injuries.use different communication channelsuse different communication channelsMake use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.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.use communication devicesuse communication devicesOperate communication devices in order to interact with customers, colleagues, and others.screen live fish deformitiesscreen live fish deformitiesExamine live fish, including larvae, to detect deformities related to body shape, jaw deformity, vertebral deformity and skeletal deformity. If not detected, these could lead to risks for fish, such a...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...manage time in fishery operationsmanage time in fishery operationsEnsure an efficient management of work schedules meant for fishery and aquaculture activities.maintain diving equipmentmaintain diving equipmentPerform maintenance actions, including small repairs, on diving equipment.report pollution incidentsreport pollution incidentsWhen an incident causes pollution, examine the extent of the damage and what the consequences could be and report it relevant institution following pollution reporting procedures.collect broodstockcollect broodstockSource broodstock from fisheries and held them in maturation tanks before collecting their seeds.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...report to the team leaderreport to the team leaderKeep the team leader informed on current and emerging issues.report live onlinereport live online'Live' online reporting or real-time blogging when covering important events-a growing area of work, especially on national newspapers.
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