Callum is currently employed by Cooke Aquaculture Inc. as a Freshwater Lead Hand at the Johnson Lake Hatchery in New Brunswick, Canada.
“I work at a state-of-the-art Atlantic salmon recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) hatchery, and we receive fertilised eggs, hatch them, and raise the fish in tanks until they’re ready to be transferred to other company sites. We also raise our own fish to the smolt stage, preparing them for sea cage deployment.
My daily tasks are varied, which is one of the aspects I enjoy most about the role. The most important part of my day-to-day responsibilities is fish husbandry—ensuring our fish receive the correct care, health checks, and nutrition to help them thrive. I also lead the team in keeping the hatchery running smoothly, maintaining equipment and the site, upholding strict biosecurity standards, grading and vaccinating fish, training staff, and continually improving operations.
Teamwork is essential in this role, as we work in small, close-knit teams where effective communication and collaboration are key to success. Problem-solving, staying organised, performing under pressure, and being vigilant are also crucial skills in this environment.
When I was 14, I did work experience at a salmon hatchery on a local estate and loved it. After leaving school I went on to Newcastle University where I earned a 2:1 honours degree in Marine Biology.
My degree has been highly relevant and valuable to my role. However, I’m committed to continual professional development so when I joined Cooke Aquaculture Scotland I completed a Modern Apprenticeship in Aquaculture, then a Technical Apprenticeship in Aquaculture Management through NAFC Marine Centre UHI.
Since relocating to Canada for my promotion, I’ve also completed in-house Tidal Leadership Training. These courses have been enjoyable and an excellent way to expand my knowledge, skills, and experience while continuing to work full-time. I apply this learning in my daily tasks and use it to lead my team toward achieving our hatchery goals.
The most rewarding part of the job is producing healthy, thriving salmon and receiving positive feedback from the sites that receive our fish. Knowing that our smolts arrive in excellent condition and continue to do well at sea is what makes all the hard work worthwhile.”