Aquaculture quality supervisors establish standards and policies for the quality control of aquatic organisms’ production. They test and inspect the stock according to hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) principles and safety regulations.
ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:
the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.
Aquaculture quality supervisor is a Skill level 3 occupation.
These occupations require some skills and knowledge of aquaculture quality supervisor. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of aquaculture quality supervisor with a significant experience and/or extensive training.
This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of aquaculture quality supervisor.
Seafood processing: Process of all marine finfish, crustaceans, molluscs and other forms of aquatic life (including squid, sea turtle, jellyfish, sea cucumber, and sea urchin and the roe of such animals) other than birds or mammals, harvested for human consumption.
Quality of fish products: Factors affecting the quality of fish products. For instance, differences between species, impact of the fishing gears and parasite influence on the preservation of quality.
Traceability in food industry: Traceability measures to respond to potential risks that can arise in food and feed, so as to ensure that all food products are safe for humans to eat.
These skills are necessary for the role of aquaculture quality supervisor.
Assess cage water quality: Analyse the quality of water by monitoring the state of temperature and oxygen, among other parameters.
Set quality assurance objectives: Define quality assurance targets and procedures and see to their maintenance and continued improvement by reviewing targets, protocols, supplies, processes, equipment and technologies for quality standards.
Apply HACCP: Apply regulations regarding manufacture of food and food safety compliance. Employ food safety procedures based on Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP).
Oversee quality control: Monitor and assure the quality of the provided goods or services by overseeing that all the factors of the production meet quality requirements. Supervise product inspection and testing.
Perform HACCP inspections for aquatic organisms: Oversee and inspect slaughtered aquatic organisms to determine whether they are in unadulterated condition and therefore eligible to bear the mark of inspection. Verify that the establishment follows the HIMP process control plan, under which establishment employees sort acceptable products and parts from unacceptable.
Apply GMP: Apply regulations regarding manufacture of food and food safety compliance. Employ food safety procedures based on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
Monitor water quality: Measure water quality: temperature, oxygen, salinity, pH, N2, NO2,NH4, CO2, turbidity, chlorophyll. Monitor microbiological water quality.
This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of aquaculture quality supervisor. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
Pollution legislation: Be familiar with European and National legislation regarding the risk of pollution.
Pollution prevention: The processes used to prevent pollution: precautions to pollution of the environment, procedures to counter pollution and associated equipment, and possible measures to protect the environment.
Fish anatomy: The study of the form or morphology of fish species.
These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of aquaculture quality supervisor. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
Impart training on general quality management supervision: Provide training to production employees, in groups or individually, on standard operating procedures, product specifications, visual quality inspection criteria, production controls, formulas and food safety procedures.
Deliver online training: Provide training by using online technologies, adapting the learning materials, using e-learning methods and communicating online. Instruct virtual classrooms.
Develop personal skills: Set goals for personal development and act accordingly. Plan personal development by analysing work experience and establishing areas that need development. Takes part in training sessions considering his/her abilities, possibilities and feedback.
Speak different languages: Master foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.
Use different communication channels: Make use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.
Create training materials: Develop and compile training items and resources according to didactical methods and training needs and using specific types of media.
Identify training needs: Analyse the training problems and identify the training requirements of an organisation or individuals, so as to provide them with instruction tailored to their prior mastery, profile, means and problem.
Make independent operating decisions: Make immediate operating decisions as necessary without reference to others, taking into account the circumstances and any relevant procedures and legislation. Determine alone which option is the best for a particular situation.
Evaluate training: Assess the realisation of the training’s learning outcomes and goals, the quality of teaching, and give transparent feedback to the trainers and trainees.
Implement scientific decision making in healthcare: Implement scientific findings for evidence-based practice, integrating research evidence into decision making by forming a focused clinical question in response to a recognised information need, searching for the most appropriate evidence to meet that need, critically appraising the retrieved evidence, incorporating the evidence into a strategy for action, and evaluating the effects of any decisions and actions taken.
Report pollution incidents: Examine the extent of the damage and consequences when an incident causes pollution, and report it to the relevant institution following pollution reporting procedures.
Provide training: Provide training and orientation to new team members, or assign this task to an appropriately experienced team member.
