Fish farmer

Career path and progression

You could move into areas like fisheries management, biological science or environmental research by taking a degree qualification.

On a larger farm, you could progress to supervisor or manager.

You could also start your own fish farm.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

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

Restrictions and Requirements

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

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Biology - Fish farmers need to understand fish biology, including how different species grow, reproduce, and respond to disease. They monitor fish health daily, identify signs of illness, and manage breeding programmes – all of which rely on a solid understanding of living organisms and their life cycles.
• Environmental Science - Fish farmers manage water quality, treat used water before it's released, and maintain aquatic habitats. Understanding how ecosystems work and how farming activities affect the surrounding environment is essential for running a sustainable operation.

Also relevant

• Chemistry - Fish farmers regularly test and manage water chemistry, including pH levels, oxygen content, and ammonia concentrations. Understanding how chemical changes in water affect fish health helps them keep conditions right for their stock.
• Business - Fish farmers buy stock and feed, manage budgets, and sell their harvest to local buyers or larger markets. Many run their own farms, so understanding pricing, cash flow, and business planning is important for making the operation profitable.
• Geography - Fish farmers work closely with water systems, weather patterns, and land use – all core topics in geography. Understanding how climate, water flow, and local environments affect farming conditions helps them choose sites and adapt to seasonal changes.
• Design and Technology - Fish farmers maintain and repair buildings, tanks, feeding systems, and other equipment as part of their daily work. Practical skills in working with tools and materials, and the ability to solve hands-on problems, are regularly needed on the farm.
• Food Preparation and Nutrition - Fish farmers are part of the food supply chain and need to understand food safety, hygiene standards, and how their product reaches consumers. Knowledge of nutrition can also help when managing fish diets to produce healthy, high-quality stock.