Aquaculture hatchery manager
Also known as: manager of aquaculture hatchery, fish farm hatchery supervisor, aquaculture hatchery supervisor
About this occupation
Aquaculture hatchery managers plan, direct, and coordinate the production in large-scale aquaculture operations to breed fish and shellfish, developing aquaculture breeding strategies using various types of spawning techniques. They control the reproduction and the early life cycle stages of cultured species. They supervise incubation, early feeding and rearing techniques of the cultured species.
Essential skills and knowledge
- inspect aquaculture equipment
- write work-related reports
- assess feeding behaviour of larvae
- control aquatic production environment
- provide on-site training in aquaculture facilities
- sanitation measures for aquaculture hatchery production
- assess environmental impact in aquaculture operations
- develop aquaculture hatchery business plan
- deliver aquatic products to customer specifications
- fish biology
- fish anatomy
- fish identification and classification
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers (O*NET 11-9013.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- 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.
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Enterprising, Realistic, Conventional
Top skills: Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Complex Problem Solving, Management of Personnel Resources
US median pay: US$89,900 a year (2025), 6,500 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementVery important (4.1)
- BiologyO*NET: BiologyVery important (3.8)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (3.6)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageImportant (3.4)
- Agriculture or Foods and NutritionO*NET: Food ProductionImportant (3.4)
- Economics or AccountingO*NET: Economics and AccountingImportant (3.3)
- MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalImportant (3.3)
- ChemistryO*NET: ChemistryImportant (3.1)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Agricultural Technicians
- Agricultural Engineers
- Soil and Plant Scientists
- First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers
- Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
- Biofuels Production Managers
- Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products
- Food Scientists and Technologists
- Precision Agriculture Technicians
- Range Managers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.