fish biology
The study of fish, shellfish or crustacean organisms, categorized into many specialised fields that cover their morphology, physiology, anatomy, behaviour, origins and distribution.
Aquaculture rearing technicians operate in aquatic organisms' production. They are specialists in the rearing, weaning and production of juveniles.
Competences and skills
50 ESCO relationsEssential knowledge 5 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
2 competencesplankton production
The methods, characteristics and equipment used to cultivate phytoplankton, microalgae and live prey such as rotifers or Artemia with advanced techniques.
Cross-sector
3 competencesaquaculture reproduction
The techniques used to induce spawning, spawning on nests, stripping using appropriate techniques for specific species of fish, molluscs, crustaceans and others. The environmental control of spawning, the use of hormones to induce reproduction and the broodstock recruitment by genetic selection.
biosecurity
Be aware of the general principles of the concept of bio-security and in particular, the disease prevention rules to be implemented in case of epidemics endangering public health.
fish identification and classification
The processes which allow the identification and classification of fish.
Essential skills and competences 29 competences
Occupation specific
1 competencehandle larval weaning process
Carry out actions to raise species, such as gradually shift the nutrition of babies from live prey to dry substances.
Sector-specific
22 competencesassess feeding behaviour of larvae
Monitor feeding behaviour in order to decide on suitability of feed composition, weaning larvae from live prey to dry feed or pellets.
carry out hatchery production processes
Collect naturally spawned fish eggs, eliminate egg adhesiveness, incubate eggs until hatching, hatch and maintain newly born larvae, monitor larvae status, carry out early feeding and rearing techniques of the cultured species.
- Scope note
- Can hand strip marine flatfish, salmonids (if applicable). Can use green water incubation technology.
condition broodstock
Incubate eggs until hatching. Assess quality of eggs. Inspect fish eggs. Remove dead, unviable, and off-colour eggs using a suction syringe. Produce eyed eggs. Hatch and maintain new-born larvae.
cultivate plankton
Cultivate phytoplankton and microalgae. Cultivate live prey such as rotifers or Artemia with advanced techniques.
culture aquaculture hatchery stocks
Use appropriate implements to collect shellfish spat. Sort wild shellfish spat. Collect naturally spawned fish eggs; eliminate egg adhesiveness and incubate eggs until hatched. Handle fish and shellfish broodstock and feed according to their needs.
- Scope note
- Can hand strip marine flatfish, salmonids (if applicable). Can use green water incubation technology.
ensure compliance with aquaculture standards
Ensure that operations comply with standards for sustainable aquaculture.
green
feed broodstock
Feed broodstock according to nutritional needs. This will initially include live prey such as rotifers and artemia.
induce spawning and fertilisation on aquaculture species
Induce spawning using appropriate techniques for specific cultured species of fish, molluscs, crustaceans or others. Determine sexual maturity of broodstock, using appropriate techniques as indicated for cultured species of fish, molluscs and crustaceans. Control broodstock sexual cycle. Use hormones to induce reproduction.
maintain aquaculture water quality in hatcheries
Measure flow of water in tanks and natural freshwater bodies. Measure parameters of water quality, such as pH, temperature, oxygen, salinity, CO2, N2, NO2, NH4, turbidity, and chlorophyll.
maintain hatchery equipment
Make minor repairs to hatchery equipment as required.
maintain hatchery facilities
Make minor repairs to hatchery facilities as required.
maintain hatchery records
Maintain hatchery production records and inventory accurately, including the preparation of health documents for the transport of juveniles.
maintain the production of juveniles at the nursery stage
Maintain the production of juveniles at the nursery stage using advanced high density production techniques
manage capture broodstock operations
Plan and conduct wild broodstock capture and quarantine wild broodstock if necessary. Monitor the collection of larvae or juveniles from environment. Control the use of appropriate techniques for the specific species i.e. fish, molluscs, crustaceans or others.
monitor fish health status
Monitor the health of fish, based on feeding and general behaviour. Interpret environmental parameters and analyse mortalities.
monitor fish mortality rates
Monitor fish mortalities and assess possible causes.
monitor hatchery production
Monitor and maintain hatchery production, monitoring stocks and movements.
preserve fish samples for diagnosis
Collect and preserve larval, fish and mollusc samples or lesions for diagnosis by fish disease specialists.
screen live fish deformities
Examine live fish, including larvae, to detect deformities related to body shape, jaw deformity, vertebral deformity and skeletal deformity. If not detected, these could lead to risks for fish, such as swimming performance, feed efficiency, limit of the feed, infectious disease and lethality.
use aquacultural heating equipment
Operate water heating and pump equipment as appropriate such as electrical heaters, heat exchangers, heat pumps, and solar pumps.
green
use oxygenation equipment
Operate different water oxygenation systems according to requirements: surface aerators, paddle wheel aerators, column/cascade aerators, and pure oxygenation systems.
use water disinfection equipment
Operate equipment for water disinfection, using different methods and techniques, such as mechanical filtration, depending on needs.
green
Cross-sector
6 competencescarry out fish disease prevention measures
Carry out disease prevention measures for fish, molluscs, and crustaceans for land-based and water-based aquaculture facilities.
control aquatic production environment
Assess the impact of biological conditions such as algae and fouling organisms by managing water intakes, catchments and oxygen use.
ensure aquaculture personnel health and safety
Make sure that health and safety procedures have been established and followed across all aquaculture facilities including cages. Ensure that personnel and general public are instructed and all work activities are carried out according to relevant health and safety regulations.
- Scope note
- Operate with due regard to personal safety and that of co-workers and the general public in accordance with relevant legislation. Tasks may include responding to emergencies in workplace, maintain operational condition of life-saving, fire-fighting and other safety systems, report and record incidents, fight fires in workplace, monitor and maintain health, safety and security of workplace, reduce risk in workplace.
monitor water quality
Measure water quality: temperature, oxygen, salinity, pH, N2, NO2,NH4, CO2, turbidity, chlorophyll. Monitor microbiological water quality.
green
treat fish diseases
Identify the symptoms of fish diseases. Apply appropriate measures to treat or eliminate diagnosed conditions.
- Scope note
- Control of diseases will not be effective unless these measures are carried out in full.
write work-related reports
Compose work-related reports that support effective relationship management and a high standard of documentation and record keeping. Write and present results and conclusions in a clear and intelligible way so they are comprehensible to a non-expert audience.
Optional knowledge 1 competence
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Cross-sector
1 competencefishing industry
The business model of the fishing industry, including recreational, subsistence and commercial fishing, and the harvesting, processing, and marketing sectors.
- Scope note
- Commercial fishing aims at the delivery of fish and other seafood products for consumption or for other industrial processes.
Optional skills and competences 15 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
7 competencescarry out feeding operations
Carry out manual feeding. Calibrate and operate automatic and computerised feeding systems. Monitor animal feeding behaviour.
collect broodstock
Source broodstock from fisheries and held them in maturation tanks before collecting their seeds.
encourage teambuilding
Stimulate teambuilding activities. Coach employees in order to help them reach their goals.
manage teamwork
Plan the working schedule of a group of people in order to meet all time and quality requirements. Supervise, support and instruct members of a team. Provide feedback to teams and individuals on work carried out.
monitor larval growth
Monitor the growth and health of the larvae.
operate hatchery recirculation system
Efficiently operate a hatchery recirculation system for specified aquatic organisms
provide on-site training in aquaculture facilities
Provide on-site training in aquaculture facilities, through instruction and demonstration of skills. Provide, implement and supervise a training development plan.
Cross-sector
8 competencescreate training materials
Develop and compile training items and resources according to didactical methods and training needs and using specific types of media.
manage staff
Manage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the workers to meet the company objectives. Monitor and measure how an employee undertakes their responsibilities and how well these activities are executed. Identify areas for improvement and make suggestions to achieve this. Lead a group of people to help them achieve goals and maintain an effective working relationship among staff.
seek innovation in current practices
Search for improvements and present innovative solutions, creativity and alternative thinking to develop new technologies, methods or ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
supervise the work of staff on different shifts
Oversee the activities of the employees working in shifts in order to ensure continuous operations.
use communication devices
Operate communication devices in order to interact with customers, colleagues, and others.
digital
work in inclement conditions
Work outdoors in hot or cold circumstances.
work in outdoor conditions
Can cope with the different climate conditions such as heat, rain, cold or in strong wind.
work in shifts
Work in rotating shifts, where the goal is to keep a service or production line running around the clock and each day of the week.