The discipline of aquaculture investigates biological mechanisms associated with fish farming methods and teaches all there is to know about breeding and harvesting water plants and animals for commercial purposes. It helps to meet the demand for seafood and also makes it possible for current fisheries to continue to operate sustainably.

The discipline of Aquaculture and Fisheries uses concepts from fields including biology, animal sciences, biodiversity, and conservation and topics include animal diversity, introductory microbiology, shellfish aquaculture, genetics of fish, politics of the ocean, fish processing, aquaculture systems engineering.

By pursuing a degree in this discipline, students will be able to analyse a variety of aquatic organisms and can learn about ideas and concepts of animal breeding, processing and production evaluation. Students will comprehend and apply scientific knowledge to aquaculture and the conservation, management, and development of natural resources. And a specialist in aquaculture will stay aware of new developments in the industry and may assume duties including safeguarding resources from pollution, industrial waste, and overfishing.

Study levels:

There are various undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral courses available in the field of Fisheries & Aquaculture, and individuals who are interested in learning, managing and understanding fisheries can choose to pursue an academic degree where programmes are offered via degrees, diplomas and certificates. These include:

• Bachelor of Science in Marine Fisheries and Animal Science
• Bachelor of Science (Hons) Aquaculture and Fishery Management Degree
• Bachelor of science in Biology- Ecology, Aquatic Biology and Fishery Sciences
• Bachelor of Fisheries Science
• Bachelor of Science in Aquaculture
• Bachelor of Science in Industrial Fish and Fisheries
• Bachelor’s Degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences
• Bachelor’s Degree in Fishery and Aquaculture
• Bachelor of Marine and Antarctic Science
• Master of Science in Fisheries Science
• Master of Science in Aquatic Science and Technology
• Master of Science in Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management
• Master’s in Aquaculture
• Master of Science in Aquaculture: Sustainable Aquaculture
• International Master of Science in Health Management in Aquaculture
• Master of Science in Aquatic Health
• Master of Science in Evolutionary Ecology of Fishes
• Master of Science in Applied Aquaculture and Sports Fisheries
• Doctor of Philosophy in Aquaculture and Fisheries

Specialisations:

Aquaculture and fisheries is a vital scientific field that offers students a wide range of topics and students interested in developing a specialisation with a disciplinary focus choose a series of courses that are centred around the following:

• Aquatic Biology and Fisheries
• Coastal and Marine Aquaculture
• Fishery Science and Aquaculture
• Industrial Fisheries
• Limnology and Fisheries
• Marine Biology and Fisheries
• Transformation of Aquatic Products
• Fisheries Technology and Evaluation of Resources
• Larviculture
• Pathology in Aquaculture
• Reproduction in Aquaculture

Employability:

There are numerous of career or job opportunities in government and private sectors for graduates in Aquaculture and Fisheries. Aspirants can go for an entrepreneurship or be self-employed in their own fisheries-related business. Aspirants can also do jobs in central government agencies or go for further studies.  Additionally, candidates can find a number of job opportunities in institutions, banks, fishing/oceans and in foreign countries.

Popular job titles include:

• Fish Hatchery Manager
• Aquaculture Technician
• Aquaculture Development Specialist
• Fisheries Biologist
• Habitat Restoration Engineer
• Aquaculture Farmer
• Shellfish Culturist
• Biological Science Technician
• Fish Research Assistant
• Fisheries Inspector
• Aquaculture Manager