Aquaculture or Fisheries Technician
What the work is
Assists Aquaculture Farmers and Fisheries Scientists in raising and managing aquatic stock by undertaking onshore and offshore technical fish husbandry tasks, sampling water, analysing data from ponds, pens and tanks, and identifying common diseases and pests. Performs tests and experiments, and provides technical support in areas such as research, production, servicing and marketing.
Would you enjoy the work?
These are the main tasks in the official description. Mark how each one sounds to you.
- Monitors and maintains water quality in aquaculture facilities, including the collection and analysis of water samples
- Identifies pathogenic microorganisms, fungi and other pests harmful to aquatic stock, and assists in devising methods of control
- Examines environmental and other factors that influence the growth, health and production of aquatic stock
- Monitors aquatic stock to gauge the effectiveness of feed formulae
- Assists in controlled breeding experiments to develop improved aquatic stock strains
- Conducts experiments and tests to improve aquaculture practices
- Provides technical support to Aquaculture Farmers and Fisheries Scientists
- Maintains and repairs equipment and infrastructure in aquaculture facilities
Try it
A simulation and a case study from this kind of work, set in a biosecurity inspection shed at a fictional regional airport and a nearby farming district. They are fictional.
The kind of days you could have
Good days
- You stop a pest at the border before it reaches a single farm
- A farmer rings to say your advice saved a season's crop
- A lab result comes back and confirms your hunch from the paddock
Hard days
- A traveller who is tired and angry about having their bag searched
- A producer who believes your rules are costing them money
- Early starts, long drives and standing in the weather to look at crops or animals
Written by Career Calling as a general guide. Real roles vary by employer and place.
Work a mission
Step into a simulated workplace in this field, with a brief from your manager.
Description and tasks: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Occupation Standard Classification for Australia, 2024, Version 1.0 (opens another site), occupation 311133, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. The skill guide above is our plain English summary.