Fish farm worker

You would breed and rear fish and shellfish, monitor their water conditions and harvest the stock for sale at market.

You could grow fish such as salmon, trout and halibut for the food industry. Some fish farmers rear other types of fish to stock lakes and rivers for angling or for ornamental ponds.

You would:

• Breed fish by hatching eggs from adult stock

• Buy in young fish and rear them

• Feed fish by hand or by fill hoppers that feed them automatically

• Monitor the health of fish

• Grade fish or shellfish by size and move them to bigger tanks or other holding units

• Make regular checks on water temperature and oxygen content

• Clean filters and screens that trap leaves and other debris

• Treat water before releasing it back into the river

• Harvest fish when ready for sale

• Sell fish to the public and/or trade customers

• Maintain buildings, equipment and fish habitats

Fish farms are generally located in lochs and in the sea off the coast so you’d need to be able to swim.

Many fish farms only have a few staff so managers often do many of the above tasks, as well as supervising fish farm workers. Some fish farms also provide facilities for anglers.

• Seafish - Careers information from UK public body which promotes a profitable, sustainable and responsible seafood industry

• Lantra Scotland - Training and skills for the land-based, aquaculture and environmental sector