Get paid to do what you love with an AAS in Fisheries & Aquaculture Sciences. With a > 90% graduate placement rate, this program is designed to give you the training necessary to begin your career in salmon and trout hatchery operations, fisheries management, or sustainable seafood production. The Fisheries & Aquaculture Sciences program is the only two-year college on the West Coast to offer technical training in shellfish hatchery operations and the only Washington State college with its own Department of Fish and Wildlife salmon hatchery program.

Upon completion of the AAS, students also receive the Fisheries & Aquaculture Techniques Certificate of Completion.

Data are provided on a program (not credential) level

63% ¹ BTC graduate placement rate (Employment Security Department- WA and OR only)
96% ³ BTC graduate placement rate (faculty-tracked, national)
78% ³ BTC in-field graduate placement rate (faculty-tracked, national)

$46,473 starting annual wage ²
$53,133 average annual wage ²
$64,731 potential annual wage ²

This program typically starts in Fall quarter.

Admissions application and assessment testing in Reading, Math and Writing is required. Your score on the test and/or your previous transcripts will determine where you begin your course sequence. Contact Admissions at 360.752.8345 or at admissions@btc.edu for assistance with academic planning.

Students who successfully complete the AAS degree in Fisheries & Aquaculture Sciences, will be able to:

• Demonstrate competency in hatchery methods and apply appropriate techniques to spawn, incubate, rear and release fish.
• Utilize proper tools, equipment and protective devices to safeguard against injury to self, others and workplace facilities.
• Act responsibly and ethically as an employee by being punctual, adhering to company policies and interacting positively and appropriately with co-workers and supervisors.
• Receive, interpret, and convey written, verbal, and graphic information to communicate effectively with co-workers, management and general public.
• Compute, calculate, and convert standard and metric measurements for purposes of disease treatment and prevention, and rearing of fish.
• Observe and comply with environmental laws and regulations related to rearing of fish and the use and disposal of chemicals and drugs.
• Use current and emerging computerized systems or software to operate equipment, calculate results, keep records, and enter data on proper forms and records.
• Identify resources to stay current with new and emerging equipment and techniques.

The Fisheries & Aquaculture Sciences AAS degree prepares students for direct entry into diverse workforce opportunities. Graduates qualify for Hatchery Specialist 2 and Scientific Technician 2 positions with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Biological Technician GS 4 positions with the federal government, and employment in tribal government, private, and nonprofit sectors.

The average annual wage in this field is $45,521, with an earning potential of about $57,231 per year.*

Program graduates work as fish hatchery specialists, fish culturists, fisheries technicians, shellfish hatchery workers, and scientific aides.