Profession aquaculture harvesting technician

Aquaculture harvesting technicians operate the harvesting process of aquatic organisms' production, managing the complex equipment and machinery used in the harvesting of specific cultured species.

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Personality Type

• Enterprising / Realistic
• Realistic / Investigative

Knowledge

• Fighting fires at aquaculture facilities

  The methods and equipment required to extinguisht fires occured in aquaculture settings.

• Fish harvesting methods

  Knowledge of up-to-date fish harvesting methods.

• 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.

• Fire-fighting systems

  The devices and systems used to extinguish fires; the classes and chemistry of fire.

• 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.

• Fish welfare regulations

  The set of rules that apply in fish harvesting methods which ensure fish well-being.

Skills

• Maintain grading equipment

  Set up equipment and areas to effectively grade fish according to requirements. Maintain the equipment in a serviceable condition throughout the grading process. Clean and store the equipment after use.

• Apply fish treatments

  Apply prescribed fish treatments under supervision, including assistance with vaccination immersion and injection procedures.

• Monitor fish health status

  Monitor the health of fish, based on feeding and general behaviour. Interpret environmental parameters and analyse mortalities.

• Control aquatic production environment

  Assess the impact of biological conditions such as algae and fouling organisms by managing water intakes, catchments and oxygen use.

• Prepare aquatic animals for harvesting

  Grade fish, molluscs, crustaceans manually and using equipment in preparation for harvesting.

• Operate small craft

  Operate small craft used for transport and feeding.

• Prepare health documentation

  Prepare health documents for the despatch of fish, molluscs, crustaceans or others.

• Prepare fish harvesting equipment

  Prepare fish harvesting equipment and facilities for the efficient slaughter of the fish and subsequent storage.

• Monitor fish mortality rates

  Monitor fish mortalities and assess possible causes.

• Monitor feeding behaviour

  Monitor feeding behaviour of farm animals. Collect information on the growth of the animals, and forecast future growth. Monitor and assess biomass taking mortality into account.

• Set up fish harvesting equipment

  Set up fish harvesting equipment for the efficient slaughter of the fish and subsequent storage.

• Monitor live fish collection

  Monitor conditions during gathering of live fish, including stress in the fish.

• Apply fish harvest methods

  Apply fish harvest methods effectively and in a manner which minimises the stress caused to fish. Slaughter the fish in a humane manner.

• Perform fish grading operations

  Gather live fish using techniques which minimise the stress caused to fish and avoid fish escapes occurring. Grade them manually or using equipment. Report on the grading operation, ensuring compliance with specifications.

• Extinguish fires

  Choose the adequate substances and methods to extinguish fires depending on their size, such as water and various chemical agents. Use a breathing apparatus.

• Report harvested fish production

  Observe and report fish harvest and variations from expected harvest quota.

• Identity aquaculture species

  Identity major European farmed fish, shellfish and crustacean species.

• Observe abnormal fish behaviour

  Observe, describe and monitor abnormal fish behaviour in respect of feeding, swimming, surfacing.

• Collect dead fish

  Gather dead fish in recipients like tanks and cages.

• Monitor treated fish

  Monitor treated fish to evaluate the effect of treatments.

• Carry out fish disease prevention measures

  Carry out disease prevention measures for fish, molluscs, and crustaceans for land-based and water-based aquaculture facilities.

• Maintain fish harvesting equipment

  Clean and store fish harvesting equipment after use.

• Harvest aquatic resources

  Grade fish, molluscs, crustaceans manually and use equipment in preparation for harvesting. Harvest shellfish for human consumption. Harvest live fish for live transport. Harvest all species in a humane manner. Handle harvested fish in a manner which maintains flesh quality.

• Prepare for small craft operation

  Prepare for personnel operation of small craft, both with licence and without licence.

• Carry out preparations for fish disease specialist

  Prepare environment and equipment for fish disease specialist treatments, including vaccination treatments.

• Operate fish capture equipment

  Operate fish capture equipment, for grading, sampling or harvesting purposes.

• Handle harvested fish

  Handle harvested fish in a manner which maintains flesh quality. Effectively store fish in chilled storage.

• 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.

• Estimate harvest costs

  Reasonably estimate harvest equipment needed, provide accurate harvest estimates and work within assigned budgets.

• Ensure compliance with aquaculture standards

  Ensure that operations comply with standards for sustainable aquaculture.

• Swim

  Move through water by means of the limbs.

• Handle fish harvesting waste

  Dispose of waste, blood and inferior quality fish according to site waste management procedures.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB