Aquaculture Work Experience or Employment Area
Welcome to ACWA's Work Experience or Employment Area.
We are currently refining this section and you will notice many refinements and changes over the next weeks and months, so chek back often to keep updated.
To give you a taste of what's coming, see these pages Australian Aquaculture Jobs, International Aquaculture Jobs and our own ACWA Jobs Board (coming Soon.)
We know finding the right job in your chosen profession can often be difficult, so we have put together the some information and resources in order to help you find the right position.
Aquculture Farmer and Technician
What do abalone, pearls,
silver perch, algae, yabbies and snapper all have in common? They are
all being farmed throughout Western Australia by aquaculture farmers
and technicians (who may also be referred to as fish farm workers).
There are more than 150 aquaculture farms, throughout Western
Australia, with some 500 people involved in their operation.
Approximately two thirds are female.
Opportunities for employment are spread throughout all regions in
Western Australia on farms that cultivate pearls, barramundi, prawns,
marron, yabbies, silver perch, mussels and a variety of fish. Areas
that are expected to offer employment growth in the industry are
Broome, Shark Bay, Exmouth, the Abrolhos Islands, Albany, and
Pemberton.
It's Not All Fishy Business
Aquaculture is a new and emerging activity in Western Australia. Aquaculture farmers cultivate marine and freshwater animals and plants in both natural and artificial environments. Fish, shellfish or plants are raised for our consumption, to replace stocks that have been 'fished out' and for pharmaceuticals and jewellery.
An Expanding Sector
In general, employment opportunities for both aquaculture technicians and farmers are on the increase as major developments in the industry look set to take off. At the moment, it is projected that areas for major growth are Broome, Shark Bay, Exmouth, Wheatbelt region, Albany and Pemberton. Employers include the Fisheries Department, CSIRO, aquaculture farmers, the research departments of universities and private enterprise.
Education Requirements
To become an aquaculture technician, you would usually require the completion of a Certificate II qualification in aquaculture.