Jobs in aquaculture will continue to grow as the world considers new forms of food supplies and responds to the global environmental concerns that are destroying much of the seafood population. Large and small fisheries, research facilities and governmental groups are creating aquaculture jobs for professionals with the proper training for fishery jobs and aquaculture employment.

Aquacultural jobs go to people with the right degree and experience working directly at a fishery or other marine habitat. Jobs are also available at companies that build hatcheries and that do research on various fish and marine life. Look for training for careers in aquaculture to suit your level of professional development.

1. Look for entry-level training for your first job in aquaculture.

2. Consider additional professional development training for aquaculture positions.

3. Participate in trade groups to find aquacultural jobs and training.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get your foot in the door with entry-level training for jobs in aquaculture

Now that you've been looking at which marine firms you may want to apply to, you probably have a good idea as to what kind of entry-level training is required for a starting job. Fishery operations and hatcheries are looking for people with basic training that they can then mold to the knowledge specific to their operation.

I recommend: AMC Aquatic Sciences provides entry-level e-courses for newcomers to the field who want to add the right training to their resumes. Get a marine biology degree from Cornell University through the Shoals Marine Laboratory to get your foot in the door of an aquaculture business.

Look for advanced training for jobs in aquaculture to add additional skills to your resume

Many of the major universities that serve the marine industry offer advanced degrees in marine biology that will greatly improve your chances of moving to a better job in aquaculture.

I recommend: Check out the advanced training offered by Sea Grant at Virginia Tech in commercial fish and shellfish technologies. Enjoy the training and advanced placement opportunities you can get from the Grice Marine Laboratory located at the College of Charleston.

Join associations for online degree aquaculture training

Since trade associations are run by and for the fishing and marine research community, you can find professional development training that is best suited to experienced marine personnel as well as achieving advanced certification in other areas. You can find updated training in data gathering systems and learn about new areas of research that are opening up through an informative trade group.

I recommend: Get a Marine Options Program (MOP) certificate and other important training options through the Pacific Regional Aquaculture Information Service for Education in Hawaii. Select from a variety of training courses through the Aarcher Institute of Environmental Training.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  There are a number of ways that you can break into careers in aquaculture while you are still training or obtaining an advanced degree. Find an organization at which you can volunteer or serve as an intern to gain valuable on-the-job training.

Aquaculture jobs are fairly stable. While it's certainly not for everyone, those who do seek out aquaculture employment are likely to remain in the field for life.

In most cases, younger workers will work outside with a job in fishery and then progress to less physically demanding work as they age and gain more experience. You can usually find jobs in aquaculture in areas close to the sea.

If you are interested in aquacultural jobs:

1. Get a science degree in order to be eligible for the higher-level aquaculture positions. Since aquaculture is an emerging industry, there aren't many degrees specifically in aquaculture, but marine biology and other biological sciences are related.

2. Stay current by subscribing to industry magazines and attending conferences. This will help you to gain more experience and get a better job in aquaculture.

3. Don't be afraid to start with an entry-level job. Fishery companies will often hire new workers without much experience. This is a good way to get your foot in the door.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Start your career with fishery jobs to get your foot in the door

If you don't have a degree and still want to work in aquaculture, you can often get a job in a fishery company. The work is often physically demanding, but the people who do this work enjoy it and find it satisfying.

I recommend: Many people like to start their career with fishing jobs in Alaska. Become a member of the Alaska Fishing Jobs Center and they will connect you with fishing companies in Alaska. You can also search for other jobs in fisheries through Juju.

Study the marine life with research aquaculture positions

If you have an advanced degree in marine science and an interest in aquaculture, you should be able to find positions that focus on the research. Aquaculture research jobs may be few and far between, so be prepared to travel for a good position.

I recommend: Aquaculturejobs.com lists some research positions as they become available. You can also look at the websites of specific research companies, such as the Mote Marine Laboratory to see if they have open positions.

Search for aquaculture jobs of all levels

The Internet is a great resource for finding aquaculture jobs, particularly since many applicants will not live in the cities where they can find jobs. This makes it easy to apply for jobs all over the country, and then move once you have an offer.

I recommend: Check out AgriSeek for a variety of aquaculture jobs. Alternatively, you may have better luck at the World Aquaculture Society website.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  In many cases, jobs in aquaculture are seasonal. Make sure you can make enough money to last all year or find work that you can do in the off-season.

When studying aquaculture, students can train to work in conservation, habitat management or fishery jobs. Jobs in aquaculture are available in both freshwater and marine water locations. Aquaculture employment requires a number of years of training, and includes to real-world experience through apprenticeships and certification in specific areas, including water safety.

The type of training required for aquaculture jobs varies. Some jobs in aquaculture only require a minimal certificate program, while others require a bachelor's or master's degree. You can find all types of aquaculture jobs education and training opportunities through:

1. Associate degrees for aquaculture jobs.

2. A bachelor's degree in marine biology.

3. Graduate programs for those who want to work in job fishery.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Earn an associate's degree to get a job in aquaculture

The quickest way to begin working in fishery or aquaculture jobs is to get an associate's degree. These programs last about two years and teach basic and advanced fishery skills. Many associate's program are also transferable to four-year universities if you would like to continue your education.

I recommend: Carteret Community College offers a full-time aquaculture program that teaches basic skills, in addition to breeding, water quality and nutrition. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College offers a associate's degree in aquaculture technology that provides training in equipment, maintenance and fishery production.

Train for aquacultural jobs with a bachelor's degree

A bachelor's degree in aquaculture is an option for students who plan to attend a four-year university, or for those that want to transfer their associate's degree credits towards a more comprehensive program. A bachelor's degree in aquaculture goes further into biology, ecology and habitat management. A bachelor's degree also puts more emphasis on real-world experience with research and internship opportunities.

I recommend: The University of North Carolina Wilmington offers undergraduate and graduate studies in aquaculture with a focus on research and scientific collaboration. The University of Hawaii Hilo offers an undergraduate program in aquaculture that applies marine biology and marine ecology to fishery jobs issues.

Learn more about aquaculture positions through graduate programs

If you want to conduct extensive research studies in aquaculture, a graduate program will give you the skills and the opportunity to do so. A graduate program in aquaculture allows students to focus on one specific aspect of ecology, biology or engineering. By the end of the program, students will have conducted a research study and offered their findings to the aquaculture industry.

I recommend: The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff offers an aquaculture/fisheries graduate program that encompasses many areas of study such as ecology management, aquaculture engineering and hatchery production technologies. The Rosentiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science offers a graduate program in aquaculture that includes many research opportunities on Snapper Farm and the Island School.

Aquaculture supports many sporting hobbies and brings food on supermarket shelves. To understand the jobs available and the vital information pertaining to those jobs, you must first understand what aquaculture is. Explore these definitions for an introduction into aquaculture jobs.

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The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Aquaculture, aquaculturalist

Aquaculture is the business of raising fish and aquatic life on farms for resale purposes. An aquaculturalist is a person who runs or works at these farms.

I recommend: Explore the history of aquaculture at Central Aquaculture. The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ web page on farming and aquaculture is resourceful for up-to-date information and facts on the aquaculture industry. PISCES has information on aquaculturist jobs.

Aquaculture technician

An aquaculture technician assists at fish farms. This person works with and feeds fish, keeps records and maintains a healthy living environment for the animals.

I recommend: To learn more about becoming an aquaculture technician, visit the career page at SchoolsInTheUSA.com. A complete job description including working conditions can be found at Myfuture.

Fish pathologist

One of the many careers available in the aquaculture industry is that of a fish pathologist. A fish pathologist is concerned with the health of the aquatic life in the growing environment.

I recommend: For details on fish pathology and on becoming a pathologist, see the American Fisheries Society. Explore the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Pathology Section for more information on the field.

Hydrologist

A hydrologist studies everything there is to know about water. Their work helps ensure safe water sources for aquaculture growth.

I recommend: To explore more about the occupation of a hydrologist, check out SchoolsInTheUsa.com.

Marine biologist

Marine biologists study the population and types of fish in a given growing environment. Their interest goes deeper into how the creatures live and interact with each other.

I recommend: Explore the Office of Naval Research for information on a career in marine biology, as well as other aquaculture careers.

World Aquaculture Society

The World Aquaculture Society is the world's largest association advocating for aquaculture. It offers continuing education training, career assistance and up-to-date industry information.

I recommend: Go directly to the World Aquaculture Society website for information on this very important aquaculture job resource. Check out EnviroLink for more details on benefits of using the World Aquaculture Society as a resource.