aquaculture biologist
Snapshot
Are you fascinated by aquatic life and passionate about sustainable food production? As an aquaculture biologist, you'll combine scientific research with practical solutions to optimize fish and plant farming while safeguarding both animal health and the environment.
Aquaculture biologists play a vital role in the growing aquaculture industry. Your work involves applying scientific principles to improve the efficiency and sustainability of aquatic farming. You'll be involved in research, problem-solving, and implementing strategies to enhance production, prevent disease, and minimize environmental impact. This career band (5 - Leadership & Strategy) often involves leading projects and contributing to strategic decision-making within an aquaculture operation.
- • Conducting research on aquatic species (fish, shellfish, algae) to improve growth rates, disease resistance, and overall health.
- • Monitoring water quality and environmental conditions to ensure optimal growing environments and prevent pollution.
- • Developing and implementing strategies for disease prevention and control, including biosecurity protocols and vaccination programs.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.
Figures cover Science and engineering professionals — 274 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Ireland, Italy, Slovenia.
Longest-running shortage: Ireland, 3 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
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Could aquaculture biologist fit you?
Answer three quick questions. This is not a full assessment — it is a teaser to help you decide whether to compare your profile.
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Do you enjoy tasks that require Achievement/Effort?
Future Outlook for aquaculture biologist
The outlook for aquaculture biologist reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could aquaculture biologist change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How could aquaculture biologist change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- conserve natural resources
- follow safety precautions in fishery operations
- interact professionally in research and professional environments
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- conduct research on flora
- conduct research on fauna
- analyse work-related written reports
Tasks most exposed to automation
- gather experimental data
- collect biological data
- synthesise information
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Agriculture
A typical day as a aquaculture biologist
09 09:00 · Morning inspect fish stock
10 10:30 · Mid-morning conduct fish mortality studies
12 12:00 · Midday conduct research on fauna
14 14:00 · Afternoon conduct research on flora
15 15:30 · Late afternoon conserve natural resources
17 17:00 · Wrap-up follow safety precautions in fishery operations
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
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applied zoology
The science of applying animal anatomy, physiology, ecology, and behaviour in a particular practical context.
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botany
The taxonomy or classification of plant life, phylogeny and evolution, anatomy and morphology, and physiology.
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ecosystem management
The set of approaches that takes into account the effect of a management decision on other elements of an ecosystem. It also addresses the optimization of diverse management strategies and the challenges that arise from fragmented landscapes.
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fish anatomy
The study of the form or morphology of fish species.
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fish biology
The study of fish, shellfish or crustacean organisms, categorized into many specialised fields that cover their morphology, physiology, anatomy, behaviour, origins and distribution.
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microbiology-bacteriology
Microbiology-Bacteriology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
- aquatic species
- biology
- biosecurity
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manage findable accessible interoperable and reusable data
Produce, describe, store, preserve and (re) use scientific data based on FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles, making data as open as possible, and as closed as necessary.
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perform scientific research
Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.
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conduct fish mortality studies
Collect fish mortality data. Identify causes of mortality and provide solutions .
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apply scientific methods
Apply scientific methods and techniques to investigate phenomena, by acquiring new knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.
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apply research ethics and scientific integrity principles in research activities
Apply fundamental ethical principles and legislation to scientific research, including issues of research integrity. Perform, review, or report research avoiding misconducts such as fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism.
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promote open innovation in research
Apply techniques, models, methods and strategies which contribute to the promotion of steps towards innovation through collaboration with people and organizations outside the organisation.
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draft scientific or academic papers and technical documentation
Draft and edit scientific, academic or technical texts on different subjects.
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disseminate results to the scientific community
Publicly disclose scientific results by any appropriate means, including conferences, workshops, colloquia and scientific publications.
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publish academic research
Conduct academic research, in universities and research institutions, or on a personal account, publish it in books or academic journals with the aim of contributing to a field of expertise and achieving personal academic accreditation.
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write scientific publications
Present the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.
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gather experimental data
Collect data resulting from the application of scientific methods such as test methods, experimental design or measurements.
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collect biological data
Collect biological specimens, record and summarise biological data for use in technical studies, developing environmental management plans and biological products.
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synthesise information
Critically read, interpret, and summarise new and complex information from diverse sources.
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conduct research on flora
Collect and analyse data about plants in order to discover their basic aspects such as origin, anatomy, and function.
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conduct research on fauna
Collect and analyse data about animal life in order to discover the basic aspects such as origin, anatomy, and function.
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perform laboratory tests
Carry out tests in a laboratory to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific research and product testing.
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use specialised equipment
Use specialised equipment such as electron microscope, telemetry, digital imaging analysis, global positioning systems, and computer modelling in studies and analyses of production methodology.
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manage research data
Produce and analyse scientific data originating from qualitative and quantitative research methods. Store and maintain the data in research databases. Support the re-use of scientific data and be familiar with open data management principles.
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develop aquaculture strategies
Cultivate strategies for aquaculture plans based on reports and research in order to deal with specific fish farm issues. Plan and organise work activities in order to improve aquaculture production and tackle further problems.
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interact professionally in research and professional environments
Show consideration to others as well as collegiality. Listen, give and receive feedback and respond perceptively to others, also involving staff supervision and leadership in a professional setting.
Skill DNA
Work personality traits and values that define this role
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Where does aquaculture biologist fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
Frequently asked questions
- What kind of education is typically required to become an aquaculture biologist?
- A bachelor’s degree in aquaculture, marine biology, fisheries science, or a related field is generally the minimum requirement. Advanced degrees (master’s or doctorate) are often preferred, especially for research-focused roles or leadership positions.
- Are there opportunities for aquaculture biologists to work independently?
- While this role is primarily employment-based, opportunities for consulting or freelance work can arise, particularly for those with specialized expertise or experience. Most positions are within established aquaculture farms, research institutions, or government agencies.
- How does this role contribute to environmental sustainability?
- Aquaculture biologists are crucial for developing sustainable aquaculture practices. This includes minimizing environmental impact through responsible feed management, waste reduction, and disease prevention, ultimately contributing to a more ecologically sound food production system.
- Aquaculture Biologist — is there a shortage in Europe?
- No. In the 2025 ELA/EURES edition, a surplus was reported in 6 of the 9 European countries that assessed this occupation group: Austria, Czechia, Germany, Greece and 2 more. 3 countries reported a shortage. These assessments are published per occupation group rather than per job title.
- Aquaculture Biologist — what does it pay in the United States?
- $72,860 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $49,100 to $107,500. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.