Catalina Sea Ranch (CSR) is the first federally permitted and operational aquaculture facility located 6 miles offshore in U.S. Federal waters. Currently selling to the Southern California market since summer of 2018, CSR is planning to expand the initial 100 acres to over 1,000 acres by documenting no negative environmental or social impact. Launching operations with low-risk, highly profitable mussels, expansion plans will include cultivation of additional sustainable mollusk and seaweed crops. Visit our press page for recent features in Washington Post, Quartz Media, and USA Today.

CSR has a robust Research and Development program, and has been awarded over $1M in grant funding from the US Department of Energy, NOAA, and USDA for projects including: selective breeding, cryopreservation, and kelp as biofuel. CSR’s NOMAD buoy is equipped with technologies for transmitting real-time data for remotely monitoring environmental data.

Our Mission

Sustainability is at the heart of our mission. Mussels and shellfish are arguably the most sustainable animal proteins on the planet. Unlike terrestrial crops, they require no feed, fresh water or fertilizer, as they filter the oceans.

Despite having one of the longest coastlines on a global scale, the U.S. imports 91% of its seafood, and lags far behind in worldwide aquaculture development. Collapsing fisheries and in-state permitting difficulties call for a new solution to feed the growing population and demand for protein. Offshore, sustainable aquaculture can meet this need, while protecting the health of our fragile ecosystem with an IMTA polyculture approach.

As the first and only offshore facility in U.S. Federal waters, CSR is at the leading edge of the “Blue Revolution”, and intends to set a precedent for clean, regenerative ocean farming by utilizing the latest advances in science and technology.

The Role

CSR is seeking an Aquaculture Biologist to join our Research and Development team. As an Aquaculture Biologist, you’ll work closely with hatchery and ranch operations to work on existing projects both on and offshore. As part of the R&D team you’ll also be working in collaboration with some of the world’s leading industry scientists.

What you’ll do:

You’ll be responsible for carrying out, and monitoring the progress of various projects including, but not limited to:

• Cryopreservation
• Selective breeding
• Triploidy
• Husbandry optimization
• Environmental monitoring
• Toxin monitoring
• Growth rate trends
• Quality trends between shellfish brands
• Kelp cultivation
• Cultivation of new species
• Hatchery cultivation
• Grant proposal writing

Specific tasks include:

• Learn and perform various cutting-edge hatchery techniques for shellfish and kelp
• Identify and suggest improvements in husbandry techniques, leading to improved shellfish quality
• Record and manage data for various projects
• Review data, draw conclusions and make suggestions for quality improvements
• Create reports to update senior management and funding institutions on project status
• Write internal and public manuals for procedures (SOPs)

You’ll love this job if you’re:

• Results oriented and a self starter. You enjoy the responsibility and opportunity to work independently.
• Focused and fast-paced. You’re quick, organized, and work with a sense of urgency
• Exceptional communicator. You keep supervisors, the team, and other departments informed on plans and progress.
• Adaptable and ambitious. You will enthusiastically take on other assignments and switch gears as necessary to support the team and company!
• Motivated by fast-paced, rapidly changing environments with multiple priorities in a small company environment
• You enjoy the practical application of science. You’re detail-oriented and thorough, yet also able to keep the bigger picture of commercial results in mind.
• Interested in making a career in this burgeoning industry, and eager for the opportunity to get in on the ground floor.

What you’ll need (minimum):

• Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Biology, Environmental Studies, or related science.
• 2+ years professional work experience
• Solid leadership skills
• Strong communication skills
• Technical and practical writing skills
• Ability to work and manage assigned projects independently
• Positive attitude

Applicants are requested to include in their cover letter a short paragraph on which project(s) appeal most to their interests/experience.