Working as a handler at Nausicaá

A team of 30 people to look after Nausicaá’s 58,000 animals.

Behind the scenes at Nausicaá - the handler job

There are 58,000 animals on show at Nausicaá. A team of around thirty handlers is responsible for maintaining the aquariums and terrariums and caring for the animals.

Cleaning the glazing, preparing the meals, feeding, water quality control, diving in the tanks, raising and taking cuttings are all part of the tasks that keep the aquariology teams busy every day.

Panther chameleon and handler
 

The handlers are assigned to a specific sector where they look after particular species.

At Nausicaá, nearly 30 men and women work 7 days a week to care for the animals and ensure their well-being. These animals can be seen on the various tour routes, Mankind and Shores, Journey on the High Seas, as well as in the aquariological reserves.
 

A highly-skilled, multi-disciplinary team

Our activities are divided into different sectors:

  • The temperate sector features animals from the cold seas, the Mediterranean, the Californian tank, penguins and jellyfish.
  • The tropical sector features tropical animals, reptiles, plants and coral.
  • Lastly, the oceanic sector covers the giant high seas tank.
  • In addition to these sectors, there is also a team of sea lion handlers.
Handler cleaning aquarium

Feeding, care and maintenance of aquariums

When it comes to feeding, the handlers assess the animals’ needs by putting in place a system of consumption monitoring, organising weighing sessions (measurement, sorting, census-taking) and varying their meals. They raise plankton to feed the new-born animals or jellyfish.

High Seas basin feeding

Qualified diving handlers
 

To be able to do their job, the divers at Nausicaá have all obtained a professional diving qualification (“class O” level issued by the Institut National de Plongée Professionnel or higher) which allows them to work in the aquariums.

The people in charge of the teams of handlers in zoos and aquariums must hold a special permit issued by the French Préfet, known as a certificat de capacité.

Diver in the lagoon basin

Find out more about Nausicaás' handlers

Clément, Antonin, Vincent and Mélanie, check out the daily routines of the animal handlers of the Giant High Seas Tank.

Watch the videos

Nausicaá's handlers

Training to become a handler

For future marine animal handlers, the most reliable routes are marine science and technology, aquariology, aquaculture and animal ecology. 

University education is essential if you intend to carry out research, manage species and provide veterinary care.

Training for the team of handlers

After that, the job is learnt on the spot and requires, among other things, keen observation skills and patience. The handlers are constantly improving the living conditions of the animals and how they are presented to visitors.

Many handlers are aquarists or keen divers who combine their passion with their profession.

Diver and public in front of the large bay window

Training to become a handler

• Diplôme de Technicien Supérieur de la Mer (DSTM – Bac + 2)
INTECHMER
Digue COLLIGNON- BP 324
50103 CHERBOURG CEDEX
Tél.: 02 33 88 73 33

• Diplôme d’Etudes Universitaires de Sciences et Techniques mention Technicien de la Mer et du Littoral (DEUST TML – Bac + 2)
UNIVERSITE DU LITTORAL
Centre de Gestion Universitaire
50, Rue Ferdinand BUISSON
62100 CALAIS
Tél. : 03 21 46 36 00

• Diplômes spécifiques en aquaculture comprenant des cours d’aquariologie
Diplôme de l’Université de Montpellier (DU) Technicien Spécialisé en Aquaculture / (Bac + 2)
La formation comporte un enseignement en aquariologie.
CREUFOP – UNIVERSITE DE LA MEDITERRANEE – AIX-MARSEILLE 2
99, Avenue D’OCCITANIE
34096 MONTPELLIER CEDEX 05
Tél. : 04 99 58 52 57

Technicien Supérieur en Sciences Halieutiques (T2SH) - Licence pro
UNIVERSITÉ DU LITTORAL CÔTE D’OPALE : Site de Boulogne-sur-Mer

• Spécialité : Aquaculture continentale et Aquariologie (Bac+3)
(formation en alternance possible)
UNIVERSITE HENRI POINCARE – NANCY I IUT Nancy-Brabois – Département Génie Biologique Agro-Alimentaire
Le Montet – Rue du DOYEN URION – CS 90137
54601 VILLERS-LES-NANCY CEDEX
Tél. : 03.83.68.25.00

• Certificat d’aptitude à l’hyperbarie classe I mention B ou sous-classe IB
Indispensable pour les soigneurs qui effectuent des travaux en plongée dans les aquariums.
INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA PLONGEE PROFESSIONNELLE (INPP)
Entrée n° 3 – Port de la Pointe Rouge
13008 MARSEILLE
Tél.: 04 96 14 09 40

• CAP TREBEURDEN
(Centre Activités Plongée)
BP 13 – Corniche de GOAS TREZ
22560 TREBEURDEN
Tél. : 02 96 23 66 71 ou 06 80 03 80 72

• CIP COLLIOURE
Centre International de Plongée
15, Rue de LA TOUR D’AUVERGNE
66190 COLLIOURE
Tél. : 04 68 82 07 16

• CIP DES GLENANS
Centre International de Plongée
B.P. 525
29185 CONCARNEAU
Tél. : 02 98 50 57 02 ou l’hiver : Tél. : 05 65 36 95 91

• CENTRE DE FORMATION – INSTITUT RURAL
« La Charmelière »
44470 CARQUEFOU
Tél. : 02.40.52.79.82

• CFPPA DE LOIR ET CHER
Areines – BP 106 – 41106 VENDOME Cedex
Tél. : 02 54 77 69 37

• CFAA DU LOT
Avenue de LA GARENNE
46500 GRAMAT
Tél. : 05.65.38.72.12

• LYCÉE D’ENSEIGNEMENT AGRICOLE PRIVE SAINT JOSEPH
Rue du Puits mourant
62116 Bucquoy
Tél. : 03 21 59 33 50
Eligible au CPF, formation certifiante pour le CACES, TAV (transport animaux vivants) ou même Habilitation électrique.

What if you followed in the footsteps of a handler?

For an exclusive half-day, experience the daily routine of our handlers!

Conceived as a glimpse behind the scenes of Europe’s largest aquarium, the “In the footsteps of a handler” experience takes you up close and personal with the animals (sea lions, reptiles, manta rays and sharks) and reveals the job of a handler who is dedicated to the well-being of our animals.