Aquaculture is a relatively new industry to Canada and is the fastest growing sector of the Nova Scotia fishery. Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms – it’s like agriculture but in water! Aquaculture can be broken down in to two sectors: finfish and shellfish. The most common products found in the province would be items like salmon and mussels. Farms in Nova Scotia raise a variety of species ranging from marine algae to clams, oysters and striped bass.

Positions

Each company is unique in their operations and therefore their positions’ responsibilities as well. These are some examples of the positions available in aquaculture companies across Nova Scotia. Pay rates range from minimum wage to salaried positions and can depend on your responsibilities and your relevant education and experience.

Hatchery Technician
Responsible for handling feeding systems, grading, fish health, fish husbandry, site maintenance, related record keeping, and equipment upkeep. May check and record oxygen and water quality levels and clean holding facilities to ensure ideal holding conditions.

Fish Health Technician
Monitor fish during all life stages, recognize and solve fish health problems, maintain records, examine fish grossly and microscopically, may train and supervise team members in the proper techniques of fish handling, sorting, pond inventory and sampling, fish transportation, and all other fish husbandry activities.

Site Manager
Overall site management; monitors species, addresses any issues, takes action to prevent expensive/unnecessary fish losses; understands/enforces/abides by applicable legislation and standards. Maintains and updates records, tracking when stock will be ready for harvest.

Aquaculture Engineer
Ensures proper aquatic farming operation; maintains and improves operations, problem solving, analyzing current processes and designing improvement plans, may be responsible for preparing budget for upcoming projects, managing new equipment and developing production facilities.

Habitat Biologist
Provide knowledge, feedback and professional advice on aquatic organism management; collect organism data; understand and implement sustainable resource management, ecosystem management and landscape planning theories, principles and practices; study aquatic habitat, population assessments and environmental impacts.

Aquaculture Diver
Supports production of farmed marine species by cleaning and inspecting nets, performing mortality retrievals, sea bed samples, mooring checks, recovery and net scoring; may dive to depths of approximately 18 metres tending to fish and netting.

Supervisor
Provides product specifications and regular instruction to employees; monitors facility ensuring safety and efficiency, provides supervision, reinforcement and discipline. Acts as liaison between multiple internal entities.

Office Administrator
Organizes/maintains variety of company documents; answers and directs telephone calls and visitors, handles supply orders, provides regular updates to management.

Sales Representatives/International Sales Representatives
Communicates with current and potential clients, may require additional languages; receives client orders, ensures order accuracy; handles accounts receivable.

Quality Control Personnel
Performs variety of tests, documents test results, addresses any issues/discrepancies; may act as supervisor/provide corrective instruction to subordinates. Provides regular updates to management regarding product quality.

Occupational Health and Safety Personnel
Assists in the development and maintenance of company occupational health and safety policies and procedures. Communicates health and safety standards to employees and may also participate in Joint Occupational Health and Safety meetings.

Human Resources Personnel
Develops variety of human resources tools; assists with labour relations, performance management, recruitment, selection, training and orientation. May also perform payroll and other administrative duties.

Manager
Provides oversight of entire operation; common tasks involve sales, administration, supervision and performance management; ensures all laws/regulations are followed, machinery is operating properly, appropriate supplies are provided; provides guidance and instruction to all employees.