Shellfish Aquaculture Technician

Career Guide

A Shellfish Aquaculture Technician supports the day to day raising of oysters, mussels, clams, and other shellfish in hatcheries, nurseries, or open water farms. The role blends hands on work, water quality monitoring, basic equipment upkeep, and careful handling of live product to meet safety, quality, and production goals.

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Key Responsibilities

Seed and stock shellfish in bags, cages, trays, or lines
Grade and sort shellfish by size and quality
Clean and maintain grow out gear to reduce fouling
Monitor water conditions such as temperature, salinity, and oxygen
Feed larvae or juvenile shellfish in hatchery and nursery settings
Collect growth and survival data and keep clear daily records
Operate small boats and follow dockside procedures when assigned
Perform basic maintenance on pumps, hoses, aeration, and farm tools
Follow food safety rules and biosecurity practices
Support harvesting, packing, icing, and cold chain handling

Top Skills for Success

Attention to Detail

Reliability

Teamwork

Physical Stamina

Basic Math

Record Keeping

Water Quality Testing

Shellfish Handling

Gear Maintenance

Boat Handling

Food Safety

Biosecurity

Workplace Safety

Cold Chain Handling

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Senior Aquaculture Technician

Hatchery Technician

Nursery Lead

Farm Crew Lead

Quality Technician Maintenance Technician

Transition Opportunities

Aquaculture Farm Manager

Hatchery Manager

Production Supervisor Food Safety Coordinator

Aquaculture Sales Representative

Environmental Monitoring Technician

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

Water Quality TestingFood SafetyBiosecuritySmall Engine MaintenanceData EntryBoat Handling

Development SuggestionsBuild skills through short courses in shellfish culture, food safety, and basic marine safety. Ask for cross training on water testing, harvest handling, and equipment upkeep. Keep a simple work log with measurements and outcomes to strengthen documentation habits.

Market Intelligence Report

Shellfish Aquaculture Technician is part of the Fishing & Aquaculture category.Explore our market intelligence report to see how AI and hiring demand are shifting for these roles.

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Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range

Entry LevelUSD 32,000 to 42,000

Mid LevelUSD 42,000 to 55,000

Senior LevelUSD 55,000 to 75,000

Growth Trend

Steady demand in coastal regions, supported by growth in farmed seafood, interest in local food, and increased focus on sustainable production. Hiring is often seasonal with peaks around stocking and harvest.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

Taylor Shellfish FarmsCooke AquaculturePacific SeafoodMook Sea FarmHog Island Oyster CompanyPrince Edward Aqua Farms

Industry Sectors

Shellfish farmsShellfish hatcheriesShellfish nurseriesSeafood processing facilitiesMarine research labsGovernment fisheries programsTribal fisheries and aquaculture programs

Recommended Next Steps

Get an entry level role at a hatchery, nursery, or farm to learn the full production cycle

Complete basic safety training relevant to the worksite such as first aid and dock safety

Learn standard water testing routines and practice consistent record keeping

Request training on harvesting, grading, and quality checks to broaden your duties

Build comfort with boats and farm equipment under supervision

Create a resume that highlights hands on work, reliability, safety focus, and measured results such as survival rates and throughput