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Aquaculture Technician

An aquaculture technician is a professional responsible for cultivating and maintaining aquatic organisms such as fish, shellfish, and seaweed in controlled environments such as ponds, tanks, and sea farms. Their primary role is to ensure the health and well-being of the animals, optimize growth rates, and maximize yield while adhering to best management practices. They work in various settings, monitoring water quality, feeding and caring for the animals, managing disease outbreaks, and maintaining the equipment and infrastructure necessary for the operation.

At a Glance

The day begins early in the morning before the sun rises. As an aquaculture technician, I know the early morning hours are crucial for maintaining the health and well-being of the aquatic organisms under my care. I made my way to the hatchery, where I spent the first hours of the day monitoring water quality and adjusting the systems as needed.

After completing my morning rounds, I focused on feeding the fish and other aquatic creatures in our care. I carefully measured the appropriate amounts of feed, distributing it evenly throughout the tanks and ponds.

Throughout the day, I watched the animals' health and behaviour, looking for signs of stress, disease, or other issues. I adjusted the water quality or environment to ensure their comfort and safety.

As the day drew close, I began preparing for the next day, making notes and updating records to ensure everything was for the following morning. I left the hatchery feeling satisfied, knowing that my work had contributed to the well-being of the aquatic organisms under my care and the sustainability of the aquaculture industry. 

You start your inspection by looking for signs of mites with your magnifying glass, taking careful notes of what you see.

In addition to the mites, you look for other common pests, such as worms and aphids, and different weeds that might be growing in the field. You won't be checking every tomato plant today, but rather random sampling of plants at various locations within the field.

You will gather data on the weed and insect species you see and take this information to the district's agronomist.

You will then discuss the findings with the agronomist, and together you will prepare a list of recommendations for the farmer, advising on the proper insecticide to eliminate the spider mites and the proper herbicide to control the weeds.

Job Duties

Job duties can vary from one position to the next, but in general, aquaculture technicians are involved in the following activies:

 

  • Assist aquaculturists and fisheries personnel in the operation of hatcheries and aquatic farms.
  • Implement and adhere to farm safety protocols to ensure personnel and team safety.
  • Prepare sacks, ropes, nets, and cages for finfish and shellfish.
  • Tighten, clean, and mend lines, ropes, and nets.
  • Operate equipment such as boats, cranes, forklifts, and feed blowers.
  • Feed aquaculture stocks and report irregularities.
  • Assist farm managers in culling and marking stock according to outlined procedures.
  • Clean, maintain, and repair equipment and enclosures, including scuba diving and snorkelling when necessary.
  • Collect and spawn brood fish.
  • Harvest and transport fish.

Work Environment

Education

If you are a high school student considering a career as an environmental geophysicist, you should have a keen interest in:

  • Earth Sciences
  • Mathematics and Physics
  • Environmental Protection
  • Technology and Innovation
  • Sustainability and Resource Management

If you are a post-secondary student considering a career as an environmental geophysicist, the following programs are most applicable.

  • Geophysics
  • Environmental Geoscience
  • Geological Engineering
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Environmental Science and Policy

In most cases, the minimum education requirement to work as an environmental geophysicist is a graduate degree. Pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree in fields related to environmental geophysics can enhance your expertise, career prospects, and ability to contribute to the field. These advanced degrees offer specialized knowledge and skills highly valued in both the professional and academic worlds.

In many provinces, geophysicists must obtain registration and licensure with their provincial association as a Professional Geoscientist (P.Geo.). The certification process for geophysicists is similar to that of engineering professions and is typically overseen by the same regulatory body.

Our Environmental Professional (EP) designation can also help you progress in your chosen environmental career.

Skills

Technical Skills

  • Seismic data interpretation
  • Geophysical survey techniques
  • Geographic information systems
  • Data analysis and modelling
  • Remote sensing
  • Hydrogeology
  • Environmental impact assessment
  • Sample collection and analysis
  • Software proficiency, geophysical and modelling
  • Regulatory knowledge

Personal and Professional Skills

  • Analytical thinking
  • Attention to detail
  • Communication skills.
  • Critical thinking
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Adaptability
  • Project management
  • Leadership
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Creativity and innovation

Environmental employers look for professionals who can combine technical knowledge with soft skills. Watch our free webinar “Essential Not Optional: Skills Needed to Succeed in Canada’s Environmental Industry” or  take our Essential Skills courses.

Where to Work

As key executive leaders who shape their company’s sustainability policy, CSOs work in many different types of organizations. Common employers of CSOs include:

  • Municipal, regional, provincial or federal governments
  • First Nations, Métis and Inuit community organizations
  • Environmental professional or advocacy organizations
  • Large corporations that have incorporated sustainability into their core business activities
  • Utility companies
  • Natural resource extraction corporations, such as those in oil & gas, mining, and forestry


Search for jobs on the ECO Canada Job Board.

Education and Skills

Education

If you are a post-secondary student seeking a CSO role in the future, consider pursuing a university degree related to:

  • Business administration or management
  • Public administration
  • Organizational management
  • Social sciences
  • Law
  • Green business administration
  • Environmental studies

In addition to the educational fields mentioned above, you will also need extensive management experience to become a CSO, with well-developed human resources management and leadership skills. Consider educational seminars or post-graduate studies that will hone your analytical thinking, such as:

 

  • Organizational or administrative management
  • Environmental law
  • Public speaking
  • Finance or Accounting

Our Environmental Professional (EP) designation can also help you progress in your chosen environmental career.

Skills

Technical Skills

  • Environmental Law
  • Green business administration
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Human Resources Management
  • Public Administration
  • Public Speaking
  • Finance and Budgeting

Personal and Professional Skills

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Superlative and creative problem-solving
  • Analytical skills.
  • Excellent organizational skills
  • Attention to detail.
  • Presentation skills

Environmental employers seek professionals who combine technical knowledge with personal and professional skills. Watch our free webinar “Essential Not Optional: Skills Needed to Succeed in Canada’s Environmental Industry” or take our Essential Skills courses.

Role Models

Patrick Ménard

The most interesting part of his job for Patrick Ménard is the "human element." "We develop a relationship with our clients, the farmers, on the job. Also, I enjoy being able to work outdoors, especially during the summer months." "My job is very diverse and changes with the seasons. In the summer we work mostly outdoors, checking the state of our clients' (the farmers) fields and working on conserving resources-preventing soil erosion.

During the winter we work closely with farmers to provide them with farm-produce plans. This takes about three days to one week for each client." "We work on the computer using air photos of the client's land to determine the quantity of land surface, the contours of the fields, the exact location of fields, etc." Patrick's job focuses on change over the long term. "We like to take a slow approach to change, using testing and training to help bring changes in farming habits about.

We check fields for erosion that is caused by the slope or angle of the fields, and based on that we suggest new ways of working the soil." To maintain the soil, Patrick encourages farmers to use proper aeration techniques, keep residues on the ground and use different planting techniques. Patrick trained for his position through a three-year college/CEGEP program and studies at an agricultural college in Quebec.

Your Impact

The impact of an aquaculture technician is multi-faceted and significant, with effects ranging from environmental sustainability to economic growth and food security.

One of the most significant impacts of aquaculture technicians is their ability to promote sustainable practices in the industry. By monitoring water quality, minimizing waste and pollution, and ensuring the health and welfare of aquatic organisms, aquaculture technicians help maintain a delicate balance between the needs of the environment and industry.

Another significant impact of aquaculture technicians is their role in supporting economic growth and food security. As the global population continues to grow, the demand for seafood increases, and aquaculture becomes a critical source of protein for millions of people worldwide. By maximizing yields, minimizing costs, and promoting best management practices, aquaculture technicians help support the industry's growth and provide a reliable food source for communities worldwide.

Aquaculture technicians also significantly impact innovation as they develop and implement new technologies and techniques to improve the health and growth of aquatic organisms. From advances in feed and nutrition to the development of new equipment and systems, aquaculture technicians are often at the forefront of innovation in the industry.

Occupational Classification

Marine geologists are classified into the following occupational grouping:

NOC Code: 21102 – Geoscientists and oceanographers

The National Occupational Classification (NOC) provides a standardized language for describing the work performed by Canadians in the labour market. It gives statisticians, labour market analysts, career counsellors, employers, and individual job seekers a consistent way to collect data and describe and understand the nature of work within different occupations.

See ECO’s Blue National Occupational Standard for a career competency profile for a marine geologist that outlines the specific skills, knowledge, and behaviours required for individuals to perform effectively in this particular role. This profile is a benchmark for training and development, ensuring consistency and quality across professions within the blue economy.

Reconnaissance des terres

Dans un esprit de respect, de réciprocité et de vérité, nous honorons et reconnaissons Moh’kinsstis, le territoire traditionnel du Traité 7 et les pratiques orales de la confédération des Pieds-Noirs : Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, ainsi que les nations Îyâxe Nakoda et Tsuut’ina. Nous reconnaissons que ce territoire abrite la Nation métisse de l’Alberta, la région 3 au sein de la patrie historique des Métis du Nord-Ouest. Enfin, nous reconnaissons toutes les nations qui vivent, travaillent et se divertissent sur ce territoire, et qui l’honorent et le célèbrent.

Land Acknowledgment

In the spirit of respect, reciprocity, and truth, we acknowledge that we live, work, and gather on the traditional territories of the peoples of Treaty 7, including the Blackfoot Confederacy—comprising the Siksika, Kainai, and Piikani Nations—as well as the Îyâxe Nakoda and Tsuut’ina Nations.

This land, known as Moh’kinsstis in the Blackfoot language and encompassing what is now Districts 5 and 6, is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3, within the historical Northwest Métis homeland.

We recognize and honour the deep connection these Nations have to the land, and we are grateful for the opportunity to share in its stewardship.

As we continue our work, we commit to learning from Indigenous knowledge systems, uplifting Indigenous voices, and fostering relationships rooted in equity, understanding, and reconciliation.

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