JOB DETAILS:
Background
Water quality is one of the major priorities in tilapia hatchery and can limit fish growth and survival is not properly managed. Optimum water quality parameters should hence be maintained to ensure proper fish growth.
Hatchery feed is on average 40% crude protein, yet proteins contain 16% nitrogen which leads to production toxic ammonia wastes from fish excrete and uneaten feed. Fish in water as well need oxygen for body metabolism to produce energy, this metabolism increases with increasing temperature. In this case DO, pH, ammonia and temperature are crucial water quality parameters in the hatchery.

Job Purpose
A water quality, pest and disease control supervisor is hence tasked with inspection, sampling and monitoring of water quality equipment and parameters respectively in the ponds and ensure observation of all the biosecurity measures for optimum fish growth following the right SOPs.

Key duties
• Water quality
• Ensure that accurate data is collected daily during the sampling process following the right SOPs
• Coordinate with the laboratory to ensure that biweekly water sampling for nutrients is carried out

• Proper Maintance of all the aeration equipment including the DO and pH meters

• Timely submission of reports to management and proper data interpretation
• Ensure sufficient water exchange in all the ponds
• Maintain optimal Dissolved Oxygen levels and pH in all ponds.
• Advice the feeding team on how to moderate the feeding regimes based on the DO measurements taken to prevent rapid DO deterioration
• Coordinate the operation of aeration equipment including blowers and paddlewheels depending on the DO levels in the fishponds
• Coordinate with Engineering team to ensure that all ponds have got fully function diffusers and paddle wheels before stocking and during culture of the fish
• Ensure proper Maintance and inspection of all escapee barriers i.e., settling pond canal screens, inlet, and outlet pond screens

• Pest and disease control
3.2.1 Pond preparation: In correspondence to the SOP the following must be done
• Ensure that ponds are always limed appropriately before stocking (never stock a pond before liming)
• Ensure that all ponds are thoroughly raked before stocking to expose the anaerobic soil
• Ensure that all ponds are properly fertilised as per the fertilisation guide upon refilling with water
• Ensure that proper disinfection (with chlorine) is always done at the different areas in the hatchery
• Ensure that different pest barriers i.e., Bird nets, frog barriers, inlet and outlet screens are installed in every pond before stocking and during the days of culture for the fish.
o Recording and data keeping
• Ensure that all water quality, pest, and disease control checklists are completed as per the SOPS
• Ensure that all water quality, pest disease control data is captured and forwarded to the data clerk for encoding.
• Assist in making some reports for water quality, pest and disease control when need arises.

Required technical skills training and experience
• Ability to multi-task and work well in a fast paced, team-oriented environment with night shifts and at times unfriendly weather like heavy winds

• Minimum of a diploma in Fisheries and Aquaculture management
• 2 years’ experience in aquaculture with 1 year in hatchery water quality
• Good and proven leadership skills, highly adapted and flexible
• Strong analytical and organisational skills
• Basic knowledge of computer software including Microsoft word and excel
• Good at mathematics and calculations
• Ability to effectively communicate in English, in both written and verbal forms

Point to note
The purpose of this job description is to indicate the general level of duties and responsibility of the position. The detailed duties may vary from time to time without changing the general character or level of responsibility entailed. You may also be required to assist other sections in the hatchery when arises.