School of silver fish

Aquaculture

The Business of Feeding the World

The path to becoming an Aquaculturist

The Path to Becoming an Aquaculturist

From High School to Your First Job

Build a Solid Academic Foundation

Basics:

Take all science and math courses (biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics) and writing courses offered at your high school. Take all these classes at the most advanced level possible (honors, AP). This will help you to learn to think critically, problem-solve and build your knowledge base.

Recommended:

If not available at your high school, try and take biology-related (marine biology, microbiology, fish genetics, fish physiology, ecology), aquaculture or fisheries science-related, environmental science-related and aquatic science-related (hydrology, limnology, oceanography) classes offered online.

Keep in Mind:

Get work experience through a research internship. Learn how to write for both a technical and non-technical audience. Experience with both oral and written scientific and technical communication is equally important. Spend time learning the basics and the more complex concepts will follow naturally.

Dive In!

And become an expert

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Peruse our library of must-read books

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Thumb through an industry publication

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Take an online course

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Get a

jump on your Academic career

There’s no substitute for experience.

We have compiled a database of thousands of internships, research opportunities, academic programs and specialized training programs so you can get a jump on your academic career.

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Internships

Research

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Academic Training Programs

And if you need support to fulfill your dreams and ambitions, our searchable database has plenty of scholarship opportunities as well as programs designed to increase diversity.

Scholarships

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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

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Need Help Finding Your Opportunity?

Our video tutorials explain the ins and outs of landing a great internship, research project or training program.

 

Make all the right moves

Advice from those who know

Maintain an excellent GPA

Have work experience on your resume

Attend professional conferences and seminars

Build experience through internships in private industry or government

Join professional societies and organizations

Stay current by reading industry and professional journals

What degree is right for you?

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Undergraduate

A bachelor’s degree is a minimum requirement to work in aquaculture. If you are interested in the business of aquaculture, you do not necessarily need to attend a school with an aquaculture major and you should focus your studies on business and finance. You should, however, have a familiarity with some of the constituent areas of aquaculture including ichthyology, marine biology, zoology, hydrology, and limnology.

Graduate

Whether you have an entrepreneurial streak and want to start your own aquaculture business or go to work for a large industrial aquaculture company, you will certainly benefit from obtaining a master’s degree in business and finance. There are also graduate programs in fisheries management. As with your undergraduate studies, you will find it an asset to have a working knowledge of the basic science of aquaculture.

10 Schools With Excellent Aquaculture Programs

Want to see the full list of colleges and universities with degree offerings or relevant courses?

See the full list

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Aquaculture and Aquarium Science
Roger Williams University

Aquatic and Fishery Science
University of Washington

Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
Ohio State University

Aquaculture and Fisheries Science
University of Rhode Island

Aquaculture and Aquarium Science
University of New England

Fisheries and Mariculture Program
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

Marine Biology and Aquaculture
Salem State University

Marine Biology and Aquaculture
Salem State University

Tip 1

While business principles and best practices are fairly consistent no matter the industry, the unique nature of the aquaculture “product” requires that you supplement your business studies with the relevant science classes.

Tip 2

If you want to start your own aquaculture business, you need to learn how to maintain and repair machinery and have a working knowledge of aquaculture technology, Geographic Information Systems, and water quality monitoring.

Tip 3

If you cannot find an internship with an aquaculture company, you should seek one out with an agricultural or farming company as the basic business practices will be similar and transferrable to the aquaculture industry.

Have familiarity with one or more of the following areas

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Business strategy

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Aquaculture technology

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Leadership and management

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Entrepreneurship and innovation

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Financial accounting

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Global markets

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Business analytics

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Sustainable business

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Economics and finance

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Animal husbandry

Typical Job Functions of an Aquaculturist

Here are some of the interesting things you could be doing.

Managing aquaculture farms.

Establishing budgets, monitoring production output, and preparing financial reports.

Setting business strategy.

Monitoring market activity and planning production to meet contract requirements.

Supervising and training aquaculture support workers.

Managing fish inventory and production.

Administering and executing policies relating to operation of the aquaculture business.

Ensuring sustainability of aquatic farms.

There’s an Ocean of Possibilities

Aquaculture is a great career choice for someone who wants to make a contribution to securing the world’s food supply. Aquaculture also allows you to pursue two distinct career paths – business and science – or for those who want to run their own aquaculture company, combine both of them into one interesting career.

Common jobs include:

  • Aquaculture Entrepreneur
  • Farm Manager
  • Hatchery Manager
  • Fishery Officer
  • Aquaculture Consultant
  • Exporter
  • Trader

Common employers include:

  • Aquaculture Farms
  • Fisheries
  • State and Federal Government
  • Nongovernmental Organizations
  • Nonprofit Organizations
  • Pharmaceutical Companies
  • Seafood Companies

Start your career search with our extensive list of employment websites.