Shellfish Hatchery Manager

Career Guide

A Shellfish Hatchery Manager leads the day to day production of shellfish seed such as oysters, clams, or mussels. The role balances animal health, water quality, production planning, staff leadership, and compliance so the hatchery can reliably supply farms and restoration programs.

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Key Responsibilities

Plan and run spawning schedules to meet production targets
Oversee broodstock conditioning and care
Manage larval rearing and nursery operations
Monitor water quality and maintain stable rearing conditions
Set and follow feeding plans for algae and live feed
Maintain biosecurity practices to prevent disease outbreaks
Lead staff scheduling, training, and daily task assignment
Track production metrics and report survival and growth results
Coordinate inventory, ordering, and vendor relationships
Maintain equipment and schedule preventive maintenance
Support audits, permitting, and regulatory compliance
Coordinate shipping, deliveries, and customer communication

Top Skills for Success

People Leadership

Production Planning

Process Improvement

Quality Control

Budget Management

Clear Communication

Water Quality Management

Biosecurity Management

Hatchery Operations Management

Larval Rearing

Broodstock Management

Algal Culture Management

Animal Health Monitoring

Equipment Maintenance Planning

Aquaculture Regulations

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Hatchery Director

Aquaculture Operations Manager

Production Manager

Regional Hatchery Manager

Farm Manager

Aquaculture Program Manager

Quality Assurance Manager

Transition Opportunities

Aquaculture Consultant

Technical Sales Specialist

Seafood Supply Chain Manager

Research Hatchery Manager

Restoration Program Lead

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

Formal DocumentationPreventive Maintenance PlanningCost TrackingData ReportingStaff Training DesignEmergency Response PlanningRegulatory Documentation

Development SuggestionsBuild simple standard operating procedures for critical tasks, set weekly equipment checks, track key costs by batch, and review survival and growth trends. Ask to lead a small improvement project such as reducing mortality during a high risk stage, then document the change and results.

Market Intelligence Report

Shellfish Hatchery Manager 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 45,000 to 60,000

Mid LevelUSD 60,000 to 85,000

Senior LevelUSD 85,000 to 115,000

Growth Trend

Moderate growth. Demand is supported by expanding shellfish aquaculture, hatchery upgrades, and coastal restoration work. Hiring varies by region and season, with stronger demand in coastal areas with active aquaculture industries.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

Shellfish hatcheries supplying oyster and clam farmsIntegrated aquaculture companiesMarine research labs running production hatcheriesCoastal nonprofits running restoration hatcheriesGovernment aquaculture and restoration programsTribal fisheries and aquaculture programsSeafood producer cooperatives

Industry Sectors

AquacultureSeafood productionCoastal restorationMarine researchEnvironmental conservationPublic sector marine resources

Recommended Next Steps

Create a one page production dashboard tracking survival, growth, and throughput by batch

Draft standard operating procedures for spawning, larval rearing, and sanitation

Implement a weekly water quality review and corrective action log

Run a small pilot to improve consistency, such as feed timing or tank cleaning cadence

Seek training in aquaculture regulations and biosecurity practices relevant to your region

Develop a hiring and training checklist for seasonal staff

Network with nearby farms and hatcheries to understand demand cycles and pricing