Michigan DNR Fish Culture Professionals: What Additional Training Is Desirable?

Since the early 1960’s, Michigan Department of Natural Resources has operated six fish hatcheries.  Fish Production Section employs a cluster management system that includes three Area Hatchery Managers and three Area Maintenance Supervisors.  Fish culture operations of each facility are managed at the local level by a Natural Resources Manager-12 (Hatchery Biologist).  Staffing plans call for each facility to also have a minimum of three Fisheries Technicians and one Maintenance Mechanic, plus a Trades Helper or a second Mechanic.  Depending on cultural work load, individual hatcheries may have one or two seasonal employees (Fisheries Assistants) to assist during the busiest seasons.  New hires tend to be relatively well-versed in the traditional areas of biology fish culture, but lacking in others.  Additional training/knowledge in basic chemistry as it relates to fish health/microbiology and limnology/water quality would be advisable.  Additionally, training in the area of effluent management would be advantageous.  As staff commonly promote from entry level fish culture positions to positions with managerial responsibilities, education in the areas of public administration and personnel management is also desirable.  On-the-job training is the most valuable means of education, but formal education in these areas get staff started on the right foot.