Craig Johnstone, 29, lives in Tarbert, Argyll and Bute on the West Coast of Scotland, working for Bakkafrost Scotland as a Marine Site Manager on the Island of Gigha, producing Salmon.
"I joined the aquaculture sector after I left College 11 years ago, but before that I completed modules with the Open University in Business Studies. Once I found full-time employment I did both Level 3 and 4 in Aquaculture through a Modern Apprenticeship.
Modern Apprenticeships for me are the best ways to learn, as you are able to study and learn while also experiencing aquaculture first hand.
My qualifications have given me the tools and confidence to progress within aquaculture.
Being able to get paid while also learning was a huge advantage. It took away some worries and allowed you to focus on your career and what you were learning.
Aquaculture is one of the leading sectors in Scotland, as well as it being right on my doorstep, I was really interested in being in the outdoors and at sea.
I always wanted to be involved in business before starting in aquaculture and as I have progressed I have been experiencing that aspect of the job.
My general day starts with communicating and assisting my team with husbandry tasks that require to be completed, such as health checks, environmental samples, feeding and maintenance of equipment, but my job can also cover biology, finance, HR and health and safety.
We grow salmon in the marine environment from smolt at 100-500g up to adult 4-5kg fish depending on the customer. Our year with fish is focused in ensuring that the salmon live their best life at sea.
Aquaculture contributes over. £1.8Bn annually to Scotland’s economy and sustains the economic and social fabric of the Highlands and Islands in particular.
Training is provided to enhance your skills within marine such as boat courses and Modern Apprenticeships. If you are looking at other areas, qualifications in finance, biology or even health and safety will help.
The best thing about my job is that it is so diverse, I can be out helping my staff complete husbandry tasks and the next I could be working on future projects or looking at data from our cycle so far.
I enjoy aquaculture as it has provided me with so much opportunity and has a great culture where everyone works together to reach our goals.
Being chosen as Lantra Aquaculture learner of the year 2023 and also being able to progress up to site manager are my proudest moments so far in my career.
There are many challenges such as the weather and environment but we have equipment and training to ensure we can still perform to best practices.
There is a lot of technology within aquaculture such as AI which can control the feeding of the fish while also looking at fish behaviour and ROV’s that clean our nets and check our moorings.
We are continually looking at different options to become more sustainable. One of our freshwater hatcheries already runs completely on renewable energy, and we have hybrid marine barges and boats within our fleet.
West of Scotland has some of the most amazing scenery In Scotland, and being able to work and live within the small communities that surround the area is brilliant.
I would encourage anyone to dive in and give it a go, Aquaculture provides endless opportunities in multiple areas.