applied zoology
The science of applying animal anatomy, physiology, ecology, and behaviour in a particular practical context.
Aquatic animal health professionals diagnose, prevent and treat diseases, injuries and dysfunctions of aquatic animals by implementing appropriate sampling protocols. They supervise the use of medicines, including vaccines, and collect data on fish health, making regular reports to the appropriate personnel. They may provide care to a wide range of aquatic animals or specialise in the treatment of a particular group or in a particular speciality area. They may provide advice, support and training to farm staff on best practice with regard to the health and welfare of the cultured organisms.
Competences and skills
70 ESCO relationsEssential knowledge 15 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
5 competencesbotany
The taxonomy or classification of plant life, phylogeny and evolution, anatomy and morphology, and physiology.
green
fish anatomy
The study of the form or morphology of fish species.
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.
microbiology-bacteriology
Microbiology-Bacteriology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
Cross-sector
10 competencesaquatic species
The care and maintenance of aquatic biological species.
biology
Tissues, cells, and functions of plant and animal organisms and their interdependencies and interactions with each other and the environment.
green
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.
biotechnology in aquaculture
Biotechnology and polymerase chain reactions for studies in sustainable aquaculture production methods.
green
ecology
The study of how organisms interact and their relation to the ambient environment.
green
fish identification and classification
The processes which allow the identification and classification of fish.
laboratory techniques
Techniques applied in the different fields of natural science in order to obtain experimental data such as gravimetric analysis, gas chromatography, electronic or thermic methods.
molecular biology
The interactions between the various systems of a cell, the interactions between the different types of genetic material and how these interactions are regulated.
scientific research methodology
The theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.
virology
The structure, characteristics, evolution and interactions of viruses and the diseases they cause.
Essential skills and competences 37 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
19 competencesanalyse fish samples for diagnosis
Analyse samples or lesions from farmed aquatic species for professional diagnosis and treatments.
collect fish samples for diagnosis
Collect fish and shellfish samples for diagnosis by fish diseases specialists.
communicate specialised veterinary information
Communicate the relevance of and the advances in the area of specialisation to general practice veterinarians and to non-veterinarians.
conduct fish mortality studies
Collect fish mortality data. Identify causes of mortality and provide solutions .
conduct research on fauna
Collect and analyse data about animal life in order to discover the basic aspects such as origin, anatomy, and function.
green
conduct research on flora
Collect and analyse data about plants in order to discover their basic aspects such as origin, anatomy, and function.
green
conserve natural resources
Protect waters and natural resources and coordinate actions. Work with environmental agencies and resource management personnel.
green
dispose of chemicals
Dispose of chemicals and treatments safely according to site waste management procedures.
green
follow safety precautions in fishery operations
Comply with policies and institutional regulations to guarantee a safe workplace for employees in fishery and aquaculture operations. Deal with potential risks and dangers by taking appropriate safety measures.
inspect fish stock
Collect and examine fish to evaluate the health of fish stock.
maintain aquaculture treatment records
Provide accurate information to maintain records of aquaculture treatments applied.
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 treated fish
Monitor treated fish to evaluate the effect of treatments.
perform field research
Participate in field research and evaluation of state and private lands and waters.
prepare fish treatment facilities
Prepare fish treatment facilities to effectively isolate contaminated fish during treatment. Control the application of treatments to avoid contaminating other stock, containers and the wider environment.
prepare fish treatment plan
Prepare health treatment plans to meet specific fish disease requirements.
preserve fish samples for diagnosis
Collect and preserve larval, fish and mollusc samples or lesions for diagnosis by fish disease specialists.
use specialised equipment
Use specialised equipment such as electron microscope, telemetry, digital imaging analysis, global positioning systems, and computer modelling in studies and analyses of production methodology.
digital
Cross-sector
18 competencesadminister treatments to fish
Administer treatments to fish, including vaccination of fish by immersion and injection, continually monitoring fish for signs of stress.
analyse work-related written reports
Read and comprehend job-related reports, analyse the content of reports and apply findings to daily work operations.
apply scientific methods
Apply scientific methods and techniques to investigate phenomena, by acquiring new knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.
carry out fish disease prevention measures
Carry out disease prevention measures for fish, molluscs, and crustaceans for land-based and water-based aquaculture facilities.
collect biological data
Collect biological specimens, record and summarise biological data for use in technical studies, developing environmental management plans and biological products.
green
conduct fish populations studies
Study captive fish populations to determine survival, growth, and migration.
control aquatic production environment
Assess the impact of biological conditions such as algae and fouling organisms by managing water intakes, catchments and oxygen use.
diagnose aquatic animals disease symptoms
Observe and describe symptoms and lesions of fish, molluscs, and crustaceans. Monitor abnormal fish behaviour in feeding, swimming, and surfacing.
gather experimental data
Collect data resulting from the application of scientific methods such as test methods, experimental design or measurements.
implement scientific decision making in healthcare
Implement scientific findings for evidence-based practice, integrating research evidence into decision making by forming a focused clinical question in response to a recognised information need, searching for the most appropriate evidence to meet that need, critically appraising the retrieved evidence, incorporating the evidence into a strategy for action, and evaluating the effects of any decisions and actions taken.
monitor water quality
Measure water quality: temperature, oxygen, salinity, pH, N2, NO2,NH4, CO2, turbidity, chlorophyll. Monitor microbiological water quality.
green
perform laboratory tests
Carry out tests in a laboratory to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific research and product testing.
perform scientific research
Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.
research
prepare visual data
Prepare charts and graphs in order to present data in a visual manner.
digital
send samples to laboratory
Forward collected samples to the concerned laboratory, following strict procedures related to the labeling and tracking of the information on the samples.
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 routine reports
Compose regular reports by writing clear observations on the monitored processes in a respective field.
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 5 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
1 competencepollution legislation
Be familiar with European and National legislation regarding the risk of pollution.
green
Cross-sector
4 competencesanimal welfare legislation
The legal boundaries, codes of professional conduct, national and EU regulatory frameworks and legal procedures of working with animals and living organisms, ensuring their welfare and health.
- Scope note
- National and EU legislation relevant to occupation, regulatory body and codes of conduct. This may include . , health and safety, risk assessment requirements and codes of conduct, especially in the areas of animal welfare, health and public health, food and environmental safety in relation with clients.
assessment of risks and threats
The security documentation and any security-related communications and information.
digital
fish welfare regulations
The set of rules that apply in fish harvesting methods which ensure fish well-being.
pollution prevention
The processes used to prevent pollution: precautions to pollution of the environment, procedures to counter pollution and associated equipment, and possible measures to protect the environment.
green
Optional skills and competences 13 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
11 competencesadvise on animal welfare
Prepare and provide information to individuals or groups of people on how to promote the health and well-being of animals, and how risks to animal health and welfare may be reduced. Provide recommendations for corrective actions.
green
assess environmental impact in aquaculture operations
Measure the environmental impact of a company's aquaculture operations. Take into account factors such as quality of the sea and surface water, fish and sea plant habitats and risks regarding the quality of air, odour and noise.
green
develop fish health and welfare management plans
Develop a plan which lists risks from outdoor factors, such as predators, and pests.
green
develop management plans to reduce risks in aquaculture
Develop a management plan to reduce the risks from pests, predators and diseases. Supervise implementation of plan, especially disease prevention measures, throughout the aquaculture facility.
ensure animal welfare in slaughtering practices
Respect the needs of livestock and apply the regulations regarding animal welfare in the meat and meat products manufacturing sector. Respond correctly to animal issues from unloading until stunning of the animals.
identify risks in aquaculture facilities
Identify the hazards and evaluate the risks to health and safety in aquaculture facilities.
inspect animal welfare management
Monitor animal health and welfare management and husbandry, and analyse risk factors in relation to animal health, disease and welfare status.
- Scope note
- Including risk factors in relationship to animal health nutrition.
interview parties in relation to animal welfare investigations
Conduct interviews of suspects and witnesses in relation to cases of alleged breach of animal related legislation.
maintain relationships with animal welfare establishments
Ensure good relations with other animal welfare establishments and agencies.
report pollution incidents
When an incident causes pollution, examine the extent of the damage and what the consequences could be and report it relevant institution following pollution reporting procedures.
green
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.
Cross-sector
2 competencesapply risk management processes
Identify risks and apply a risk management process, e.g. hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP).
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.