Overview

A saltwater husbandry technician is responsible for general farm operations including feeding and care of fish grown in a saltwater habit.  

What responsibilities will I have?

• Operation and basic maintenance of auto feeders, boats and equipment in the marine environment
• Familiarity of the concepts of fish growth and stock management
• Operate and maintain a variety of tools, including plumbing and scuba equipment
• Collets bottom gravel samples and analyzes for silt, size fractions, etc.
• Performs laboratory analysis of water quality samples
• Measures amount and quantity of spawning areas
• Prepare diets for fish
• Test and maintain saltwater levels to promote optimal growth of fish produced in saltwater environment
• Keeps records of all data and develops these into statistical reports
• Schedules, services, calibrate repairs, and installs sampling instrumentation

What education and training is required?

To be saltwater husbandry technician a bachelor’s degree or higher is required in; ecology, marine biology, animal nutrition, zoology or aquaculture.

To pursue a career as a Saltwater Husbandry Technician:

The following high school courses are recommended:  agricultural education, mathematics, chemistry, biology and botany.     

Where can I work?

Saltwater husbandry technicians are typically employed fisheries that produce saltwater fish for food production, some may also work for aquariums or zoos and some government and state agencies also employ saltwater husbandry technicians.

Future Job Market / Outlook

The future outlook for Saltwater Husbandry Technicians will be good over the next five years.  

Suggested Professional Organizations and Associations

• American Fisheries Society
• National Aquaculture Organization
• The World Aquaculture Society