Work Environment
Fish Farm Managers typically work in the following Career Sectors:
Videos & Interviews
Brendan White, Fish Filleter
Brendan White is a Fish Filleter working for Albatross Seafoods in Donegal. He has done a number of different courses for his job, including a Filleting Course, a Forklift Course and two HACCP Courses, in the last few years. He has just completed a E.C.D.L course, which he found to be very helpful in his job.
Hugh Heraghty , Fish Farm Manager
Hugh Heraghty is Site Manager for Marine Havest's Organic Salmon Fish Farm in Co. Galway. Some key responsibilties of his job include ensuring safety at all times on land and sea and bringing the site stock to its best quality. Hugh has completed over 40 courses with Marine Harvest and BIM.
Videos on the Web
- Fish Farm Manager- from: Youtube Search
- Fish Farmer - from: icould [UK] Video
- Fisheries Technical Officer - from: icould [UK] Video
Most commonly reported Work Activities
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Scheduling Work and Activities Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
- Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
- Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Monitoring and Controlling Resources Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
- Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
The Work
Fish farm managers supervise the breeding and rearing of fish for sport and for food. They care for fish, primarily salmon and trout, and shellfish such as mussels and scallops. This involves seeing them through the whole process from the hatchery to harvesting. This includes technical hatchery work, such as monitoring for disease and pollution, checking that environmental conditions are correct and feeding stocks regularly.
Managers supervise the day-to-day running of the farm, including book-keeping, organising the sales and marketing of stock plus the ordering of new stock, materials and equipment. They may also supervise staff training.
Managers ensure that a high standard of hygiene is maintained so that the fish are free from disease. Much of the work is outdoors in all weather conditions.
Most commonly reported Work Tasks
- Collect and record growth, production, and environmental data.
- Manage nurseries that grow horticultural plants for sale to trade or retail customers, for display or exhibition, or for research.
- Direct and monitor trapping and spawning of fish, egg incubation, and fry rearing, applying knowledge of management and fish culturing techniques.
- Direct and monitor the transfer of mature fish to lakes, ponds, streams, or commercial tanks.
- Determine how to allocate resources and to respond to unanticipated problems, such as insect infestation, drought, and fire.
- Determine plant growing conditions, such as greenhouses, hydroponics, or natural settings, and set planting and care schedules.
- Devise and participate in activities to improve fish hatching and growth rates, and to prevent disease in hatcheries.
- Position and regulate plant irrigation systems, and program environmental and irrigation control computers.
- Prepare reports required by state and federal laws.
- Inspect facilities and equipment for signs of disrepair, and perform necessary maintenance work.
Further Information
- Fish Farm Manager - from: N.C.S. [UK]
Qualities - Fish Farm Manager
In fish farming, commercial duties are equally as important as the farming. Any setback in the rearing of fish can have serious financial effects; therefore, it is an advantage if you have skills in marketing, personnel management and accounting. Scientific knowledge is essential. Good organisational skills would also be an advantage in arranging staff with day-to-day duties, timetables and rotas. You must be physically fit to sustain the day-to-day manual work encountered on fish farms and be comfortable working with animals and with water.
Interests - Fish Farm Manager
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Naturalist
Not surprisingly, some aspect of the natural sciences will run through the Naturalist's interests - from ecological awareness to nutrition and health. People with an interest in horticulture, land usage and farming (including fish) are Naturalists.
Some Naturalists focus on animals rather than plants, and may enjoy working with, training, caring for, or simply herding them. Other Naturalists will prefer working with the end result of nature's produce - the food produced from plants and animals. Naturalists like solving problems with solutions that show some sensitivity to the environmental impact of what they do. They like to see practical results and prefer action to talking and discussing.
Enterprising
Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.
Administrative
Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.
They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.
Entry - Fish Farm Manager
For managerial positions, preference is usually given to applicants who have a relevant degree or diploma and work experience. It is possible, however, to enter fish farm management at various levels. People with Leaving Certificate or equivalent are usually eligible. It is also possible to enter the profession as a fish farm worker and work your way up. Bord Iascaigh Mhara run relevant courses as do some of the Colleges countrywide.
Bord Iascaigh Mharra BIM also offers many safety programmes. The Basic Safety Programme is required by all fishing vessel crew members, Aquaculture staff & management. Successfully applicants completing the basic safety training will be supplied with a BIM Safety Training Card. In addition, fishing vessel crew will receive a BIM Commercial Fishing Training Record Book.
However persuing training, such as those available from the National Maritime College of Ireland, can enhance your prospects.
Key Skill Certs:
-Manual Handling
-First Aid
-Fire Safety
In Line with STCW Convention Regulation 1/14, and section A-1/14, of the STCW Code, companies must ensure that seafarers assigned to any of their ships have received refresher and updating training as required by the convention.
Health & safety and first aid courses are often provided in local Training Centres or through ETBs Search our FET Coursefinder
Training & Development
FET Centre PLC Commercial, Engineering Competency, Engineering Officer, Aquaculture NFQ level 5-6 Search our FET PLC coursefinder
Higher Education CAO/ Direct entry: BIM Business in Fisheries and Aquaculture, Fisheries & Aquaculture Economics, Fisheries & Aquaculture Financial Management & Planning, Fisheries & Aquaculture Marketing Management, Fisheries & Aquaculture Strategic & Innovation Management, Applied Freshwater & Marine Biology,Science - Marine Science NFQ level 7-8 (minor & Major awards Search our CAO coursefinder
Postgraduate Study Options Environmental Research Institute - Research, Ryan Institute - Research, Biology - Marine Biology NFQ level 9
Professional Development
Skillnets Food & Beverage Network
Last Updated: April, 2023
Pay & Salary - Fish Farm Manager
Salary Range (thousands per year)* €26k - €45k
Salaries vary by employer, location, duties, role, shift, and experience.
Data Source(s):
Indeed/ Payscale
Last Updated: March, 2024
* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.
View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available
Labour Market Updates - Fish Farm Manager
This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).
Numbers employed in this occupation are too small to allow for any analysis. Employment permits issued in 2022 related to farm managers (including pig and dairy).
Useful Contacts - Fish Farm Manager
-
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
- Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2
- (01) 607 2000 Lo Call 1890 200 510
- [email protected]
- Click Here
