Fish Farmer

Fish farmers breed and rear fish and shellfish for sale, mostly for food. They may also breed other types of fish for angling purposes or to use in ornamental pools. Fish farmers either breed fish from eggs, or buy in young fish from elsewhere and rear them.

Freshwater fish are kept in tanks, ponds, cages, or concrete raceways. Sea fish are usually housed in sea cages or large pens. Shellfish are farmed in their natural marine environment; for example, mussels are reared on ropes hanging in the sea.

There are some differences with salmon farming. These are bred in fresh water for six months to two years, and then transferred to pens in the sea until they are mature and ready to sell.

The main areas of work are:

Breeding fish, either by hatching eggs from adult fish or buying in young fish and rearing them.
Feeding fish by hand or by filling hoppers that feed the fish automatically. (Shellfish feed naturally from the sea.)
Grading fish or shellfish by size and moving them to bigger tanks or other holding units.
Maintaining water quality through regular checks on water temperature and oxygen content. On freshwater fish farms, filters and screens that trap leaves and other debris must be cleaned.
Preventing disease through draining, cleaning and hosing tanks, and where necessary, adding chemicals to the water to protect fish.
Monitoring the health of fish.
Treating fish that show signs of infection or disease.
Harvesting fish for eating and sale, which will involve killing and gutting them and packing them in ice.

There may be other tasks required such as maintaining buildings and equipment, and using hand or power tools for jobs involving carpentry, plumbing and electrical work. Fish farmers may have to keep records and accounts, buy in fresh stock, feedstuff and equipment, and arrange the sale of the fish. Depending on skills and experience, fish farmers may also undertake health checks on fish, mix treatments, examine specimens and take responsibility for routine farm health management.

In larger fish farms, fish farmers may supervise other staff as well as being involved in all areas of the work themselves.

Hours and environment

Fish farms operate seven days a week. Therefore, fish farmers usually work flexible hours based around the jobs that need completing at different times of the year. In larger farms, they are likely to work on a rota system with other members of staff. This will include early mornings, evenings and weekends. There may be opportunities for both full-time and part-time working.

Most of their working time is spent outdoors in all weather conditions. Many fish farms are remote and isolated with limited housing in the vicinity. Housing is quite often provided with the job. The work itself is active and involves a lot of heavy lifting, standing, bending and carrying.

Fish farmers may need to collect feed or equipment and make deliveries of fish; therefore a driving licence is required.

Salary and other benefits

These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary, depending on the employer and where people live.

Starting salaries may be around €18,000 – €24,000 a year.
Experienced fish farmers may earn between €25,000 and €30,000 a year.
Senior fish farmers or managers can earn between €35,000 and €45,000 a year, or more.