Aquaculture Farmers

Aquaculture Farmers plan, organise, control, coordinate and perform farming operations to breed and raise fish and other aquatic stock.

**Indicative skill level:**

#### In Australia and New Zealand:

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification. At least five years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualification. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1).

**Tasks include:**

- planning and coordinating the operation of hatcheries and grow-out operations taking into account environmental and market factors - coordinating and overseeing strategies to monitor the environment to maintain optimal growing conditions, minimise the impact of operations on the environment and manage biosecurity and other risks - coordinating and overseeing strategies to monitor and maintain the health, welfare and condition of aquatic stock - overseeing and undertaking breeding, feeding and nutrition programs - overseeing transportation of aquatic stock to new tanks, ponds, cages and floating net pens - coordinating and overseeing harvesting, grading, processing and packaging operations for aquatic stock - directing and overseeing general farming activities including the provision and maintenance of farming infrastructure and equipment - organising the sale, purchase and transportation of aquatic stock - maintaining and evaluating records of farming activities, monitoring market activity and planning production accordingly - overseeing data collection and analysis and farm technology systems - managing business capital including budgeting, taxation, debt and loan management - may select, train and supervise staff and contractors