A fish hatchery may produce finfish or shellfish that is not raised in the wild in order to maintain supplies of fish for the consumer market throughout the year. At a fish hatchery, there are a variety of jobs available, some of which require college degrees and extensive training. There may also be opportunities for apprenticeships and volunteer work. If you want to work in a hatchery like this, you have a few options, but you’ll have to research each one to see which one is best for you. If you want to work in this field, you’ll need to invest in a lot of training and education.
The most common, and some of the most important, positions in a fish hatchery are research scientist and biologist. These experts will keep an eye on the hatchery’s operations and make any necessary changes to the tanks and fish population. Researchers may conduct experiments or collect data that will aid in the development of new fishing techniques or fish genetic modifications. Other experiments may examine the effects of various external stimuli on fish populations in the fish hatchery. Biologists will conduct similar research, though they will be more concerned with maintaining the health of the hatchery’s fish populations.
Clerical workers, such as secretaries, may be employed by the fish hatchery as support staff. While office managers and other types of managers within the company are likely to be present on site, these professionals may be more likely to have training or education in business or management fields, even if they are required to have specific education or experience in scientific fields. A fish hatchery may hire accountants and even lawyers to maintain regular business operations and ensure that the business runs smoothly and legally.
In a fish hatchery, maintenance personnel are frequently present. These employees may be in charge of keeping the facility clean by using cleaning chemicals and equipment. Maintenance personnel may also be in charge of troubleshooting, diagnosing, and repairing various types of hatchery machinery. Mechanical training is usually required for such professionals, though a college degree is not always required. Specific certifications or licenses, on the other hand, may be required, implying that post-secondary education may be required in some cases.
Volunteer and internship opportunities are sometimes available at hatcheries. Internships are particularly popular, as they allow high school and college students to learn more about the industry and the science behind it.