Fish Farm Worker

Also known as:

Hatchery Worker

Introduction

Fish farm workers rear fish, both for food and sport, in fresh water or the sea. The work also involves feeding the fish and cleaning tanks.

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Work Activities

Fish farm workers rear and sell fish, both for food and for sport. Trout and salmon are the most commonly reared species but the industry is diversifying and more farms are producing other types of fish and shellfish.

Farms hatch or buy in eggs and rear the young fish. The young are kept in separate tanks as they develop. When they are fully grown, they are transferred to rivers, lakes or pools. Salmon are transferred from fresh water to pens or cages in the sea.

Feeding is an important task. The fish may be fed by hand or by automatic hoppers that release food into the water.

It is essential to inspect the fish and to maintain safe and healthy conditions. Staff check oxygen levels in the water, maintain the correct temperature in the tanks and make sure the water is kept free from contamination. The tanks are regularly cleaned. It is also important to discharge water correctly so that it does not cause pollution.

Staff usually carry out maintenance work including simple carpentry, plumbing and repairs to equipment.

Farms that produce fish for food may be involved in processing and packing.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

You will need to be physically fit and willing to work outdoors in all weather conditions. Practical skills are required.

You should be interested in caring for fish and their environment.

You should be able to plan ahead and organise your own work. It may be necessary to work alone without close supervision.

A driving licence is usually required.

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Pay and Opportunities

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Fish farm workers earn in the range of £11,500 - £14,500 a year, rising to around £16,000. Higher earners can make around £18,500 a year.

They usually work a basic 39-hour week. However, long and irregular hours, evening and weekend work may be required.

In England and Wales around 400 fish and seafish farming businesses, operating on over 520 sites employ around 1,300 people. In Scotland around 200 fish and seafish farming businesses operating on around 800 sites employ around 2,100 people.

Some fish farms are located in very isolated areas of the country. They vary in size.

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Adult Opportunities

It is now illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Some entrants have practical skills and abilities gained, eg, in agriculture.

Modern Apprenticeships may be available in some areas.

• 7% of people in occupations such as fish farm worker work part-time.
• 3% have flexible hours.
• 2% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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New Developments

Some people working in this occupation may be involved in the green jobs sector in areas such as conservation or countryside management.