Aquaculture and Marine Harvest Labourers

(NOC 8613)

in All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining

This group includes aquaculture support workers, marine plant gatherers, shellfish diggers and other labourers in aquaculture and fishing. Aquaculture support workers are employed by public or private fish hatcheries and commercial aquatic farms. Marine plant gatherers and mollusk harvesters may be self-employed.

Job Outlook

Average

Estimate Strong growth employment change, 2017-2019
Estimate 30 openings due to growth and retirements, 2017-2019
Estimate High rate of unemployment in 2016

Compared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining

Estimate Decline slightly employment change, 2017-2019
Estimate 910 openings due to growth and retirements, 2017-2019
Estimate High rate of unemployment in 2016

The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “average”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is comparable to the average for all occupations in Nova Scotia. This is not a large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities may not be that frequent. The number employed in this occupation is expected to grow significantly over the next few years, which will provide additional opportunities for employment. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Aquaculture and Marine Harvest Labourers most commonly work full-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs may either be permanent or temporary positions, as both are common. With employment conditions being seasonal in nature, periods of downtime or layoff throughout the year are fairly common.

The median employment income for 18% of Aquaculture and Marine Harvest Labourers who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $31,690. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)

Hourly Pay

$11.55

Minimum

$14.53

Median

$24.79

Maximum

Annual Pay

$1,778

Minimum

$11,678

Median

$35,820

Maximum

Compared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining

Hourly Pay

$11.55

Minimum

$16.00

Median

$31.88

Maximum

Annual Pay

$4,009

Minimum

$23,520

Median

$87,170

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Job duties

Aquaculture support workers perform some or all of the following duties:

Assist aquaculture technicians in the operation of fish hatcheries or other aquatic farms.
Feed aquaculture stocks, vaccinate stocks, perform culling and marking or banding techniques and report any observed irregularities in stocks.
Operate, maintain and clean pumps, filters, tanks and other aquaculture equipment and clean and maintain aquaculture enclosures.
Keep daily records of water flow and fish samples.
Grade and weigh aquaculture stocks.
Prepare aquaculture stocks for market.
May operate boats aquaculture operations.

Other workers in this group perform some or all of the following duties:

Marine plant gatherers: Rake seaweed, dulse or Irish moss from beach, rocks or shallow water and load into a cart, wagon or other receptacles. They spread gatherings to dry and remove foreign objects and transport gatherings to processing plant.
Shellfish harvesters dig clams from beds with spades, forks or other instruments, or collect oysters and clean, sort and transport shellfish to market

Sample job titles

aquaculture worker
clam digger
fish farm helper
fish hatchery attendant
lobster pound attendant
mussel harvester
shellfish harvester

Skills

To work in these jobs, you should have good health, physical stamina, and strength. Agility, coordination, and mechanical aptitude would be helpful. You must also be able to take direction and carry out instructions given by a supervisor.

Job requirements

Some high school education is usually required.
Shellfish harvesters require commercial fishing licences.

Other considerations

Most workers in these jobs work for part of the year and typically earn less than half the yearly income of employees who work for the whole year. Wages will vary according to the specific type of work performed, and annual incomes of many workers in these jobs are relatively low. They are often exposed to harsh weather conditions. The physical demands of this work may make it difficult for people to stay in these jobs for a long time.

By the numbers

Quick look

240

employed in 2016

74.6%

employed full-time

18.8%

self employed

13.6%

86.4%

49.7

median age

Compared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining

14,665

employed in 2016

84.0%

employed full-time

22.0%

self employed

15.1%

84.9%

44.6

median age

Where will I likely work?

55.6%

Southern

12.3%

Cape Breton

12.3%

Halifax

11.1%

Northern

7.4%

Annapolis Valley

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

Northern

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

41.7%

Fishing

33.3%

Agriculture

16.7%

Food and Beverage Product Manufacturing

4.2%

Wholesale Trade

4.2%

Other Industries

What is the age of Employment?

31.3%

55-64

25.0%

45-54

14.6%

35-44

14.6%

15-24

8.3%

65+

4.2%

25-34

Compared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining

42.3%

45-54

26.1%

55-64

18.9%

35-44

8.1%

25-34

3.6%

65+

Top levels of education

45.9%

Less than high school

$11,159 median annual income

25.7%

High school

$10,508 median annual income

17.6%

College certificate or diploma

$18,908 median annual income

9.5%

Trades certificate

$17,573 median annual income

Compared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining

34.0%

Less than high school

$14,445 median annual income

31.5%

High school

$14,229 median annual income

14.3%

College certificate or diploma

$21,289 median annual income

14.0%

Trades certificate

$19,107 median annual income

4.3%

Bachelor's degree

$15,980 median annual income

Education & training

Adult high school/secondary diploma programs

This program is typically offered at the high school level.

The Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) administers, coordinates, and supports the development and delivery of adult education programs through learning partners in Nova Scotia. Our learning partners include the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations that offer tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED, empowering Nova Scotians to achieve their learning and employment goals.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Siège Social: 1695, Route 1

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0

(902) 769-2114

Blanche.Theriault@usainteanne.ca

Website

Nova Scotia Community College - Adult Learning

PO Box 220

Halifax, NS B3J 2M4

(866) 679-6722

admissions@nscc.ca