"There's a lot more to aquaculture than meets the eye. The sector poses a great opportunity for our Nations in terms of diversification and transferable skills. This includes learning on the water and hands-on—not only boating skills but many types of skills such as electrician and welder—to build the infrastructure. It's much more than fish farming, there's kelp, seaweed, and shellfish to name a few. As we grow, that hands-on capacity building really needs to be supported."
Do you like to protect and care for your Nation’s natural resources?
If the majority of these statements apply, you could like working in aquaculture.
- I’m interested in all kinds of sea life (e.g., fish, mussels, clams and kelp). I enjoy learning how these creatures survive and grow in our traditional waters.
- I like to take care of animals and be responsible for their health. Working outside is an added bonus.
- I like to listen to stories told by my Elders about when seafood was plentiful. I would enjoy being part of the solution and providing healthy food for my people and others.
Uu-a-thluk
taking care of
What’s It All About?
Aquaculture and marine harvest labourers include aquaculture support workers, marine plant gatherers, shellfish diggers and other workers in aquaculture and fishing.
People who work harvesting seafood usually travel in boats, set nets or hook and line gear, haul in catches, clean their fish, and bring their catch to buyers.
They typically work in public or private fish hatcheries and commercial aquatic farms. They may also be self employed.
They may work as part of a team for long hours away from home and may work only part of the year (i.e., seasonal). For those who own their own boats, gear maintenance, marine navigation, and business skills like marketing your catch are a must.
Other jobs in fishing and harvesting include diving for species like tut?up (sea urchins), geoducks and sea cucumbers or gathering species like gooseneck barnacles or clams.
Clam diggers need to be in good physical shape and have some experience digging clams.
You must have a tidal waters sport fishing license to harvest shellfish in salt water, including tidal water boundary areas in rivers. Know the location of area closures and find out what fishing activities are permitted – in many areas of British Columbia, fishing is not allowed or is restricted.
What Do You Need?
Shellfish crew workers have a high school diploma and good math skills.
Shellfish farm managers have a high school diploma and experience working on shellfish farms and/or a college diploma in aquaculture and management skills.
Fish culturists have a two-year technical diploma in fisheries and aquaculture.
Fish hatchery technicians have a two-year technical diploma in sciences.
Fish hatchery project managers have a two-year technical diploma and management skills.
Fish farm technicians graduate from technical schools with training in finfish aquaculture. They may also have experience working on fish farms.
Fish farm managers have technical training in finfish aquaculture and 10-15 years of experience in fish culture management.
What Can you Earn?
The annual median salary for the category of aquaculture and marine harvest labourers is $38,709 calculated annually. The high is $34/hour and low is $15/hour for this sector.
Managers in aquaculture can earn $65,863 calculated annually.
A shellfish farmer earns between $31,701 and $98,294 annually ($15.20 and $47.13 per hour).
A fisheries technician earns between $33,620 and $62,568 calculated annually ($16.12 and $30 an hour)
Sample Employers
- First Nation shellfish operations
- Shellfish hatcheries and nurseries
- Shellfish depuration facilities
- Fish farm companies
- First Nation kelp farms
- First Nation fish hatcheries
- Government and non-profit fish hatcheries
Sample Jobs
Shellfish/Plantlife
- Shellfish Crew Workers
- Shellfish Farm Managers
- Kelp Gatherer
- Clam digger
- Oyster Harvester
- Shellfish Harvester
Hatcheries
- Fish Hatchery Technicians
- Fish Hatchery Project Managers
- Fish Culturists
Commercial Fish Farms
- Fish Farm Technicians
- Fish Farm Managers
Muschim
The People
Joshua Tate
Listen to Josh Tate talk about achieving his goal of becoming an aquaculture technician. He works at the Nitinat River Hatchery and helps to provide fish to his communities.
Aquaculture and Marine Harvest Labourers. (2021, April 16). WorkBC. Retrieved May 7, 2022, from
https://www.workbc.ca/Jobs-Careers/Explore-Careers/Browse-Career-Profile/8613
Managers in Aquaculture. (2021, March 25). WorkBC. Retrieved May 7, 2022, from https://www.workbc.ca/Jobs-Careers/Explore-Careers/Browse-Career-Profile/0823#earnings-and-outlook
Shellfish Farmer in British Columbia.
(2022, April 8). Government of Canada Job Bank. Retrieved May 7, 2022, from https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/wages-occupation/296039/BC
Fish Hatchery Technician. (2022, April 8). Government of Canada Job Bank. Retrieved May 7, 2022, from
https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/wages-occupation/3112/BC
