Fish Hatchery Biologist

A fish hatchery biologist and technician raise fish to be stocked into Texas’ lakes, rivers, bays, and estuaries.

Fish hatchery biologist and technician in a hatchery raceway catching fish in a net, an image from Working and Careers in Water and Aquatic Science from the book Texas Aquatic Science by author Rudolph Rosen.

Photo credit: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Fish raised by the fish hatchery biologist and technician may be used to bring back a species of fish that has disappeared from a lake or to provide more fish for people to catch in a lake, stream, or bay. There are many kinds of jobs to do at a fish hatchery. A fish hatchery biologist works for state and federal fisheries agencies, and private aquaculture farms. Workers who feed fish, maintain hatchery facilities, and do much of the field work are often called a fish hatchery technician. Technicians have at least a high school degree. Many have a bachelor’s degree. The fish hatchery biologist oversees the health and nutrition of fish, as well as ensures safe transport of fish to the places where the fish are stocked. Biologists usually have a master’s degree in fishery biology or a related field.