Fish farmer

You could take a college course to give you some of the skills and knowledge needed for the job.

Courses are usually offered by land-based and agricultural colleges and include:

• Level 1 Certificate in Fisheries Management
• Level 2 Diploma in Fish Husbandry
• Level 2 Diploma in Land and Wildlife Management (Fish)

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course
• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

More Information

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Paid or voluntary work in related areas can be useful. Examples include taking part in environment and water monitoring with river trusts, ecological surveys or being a member of an angling club.

You could apply to fish farms for permanent or seasonal work. There are no set qualifications required, although experience is useful.

Some jobs are in remote areas of the country, so you may need access to a vehicle.

Further information

You can find out more about working in the fisheries industry through the Institute of Fisheries Management.

You'll need:

• knowledge of biology
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• maths knowledge
• the ability to work well with others
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to use your initiative
• leadership skills
• business management skills
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

You may need a full driving licence to travel to work, collect feed and equipment, and make deliveries to local buyers.

In your day-to-day duties you could:

• breed or buy in stock
• feed and monitor fish health
• grade and move fish as they grow
• maintain buildings, equipment and habitats
• treat used water
• harvest and sell stock

You could work on a farm.

Your working environment may be physically demanding and outdoors in all weathers.