A Career in Aquaculture: A General Overview

Animal husbandry is a career which involves breeding and rearing of cattle. On similar lines, aquaculture involves breeding and rearing of fishes and molluscs for purposes of commercial usage – both for consumption as well as for displaying in aquariums. Generally carried out in reserved areas, aquaculture is generally done either in confined tanks or at open sea under monitoring, and is referred to as mariculture.

Aquaculture is an encompassing and wide arena and opting for it as a career is a unique choice. The very basic requirement to take up fish farming as a career choice involves an interest in the subject and also in the subject of general agriculture.

Fish farming ranges from a basic technician’s job in the farm to that of managers and bio-technologists and other applied sciences’ professionals. A brief detailing about some of the specialisations in aquaculture can be explained as follows:

• Technician: A fish farming technician is responsible for manning the areas where the fishes and the molluscs are bred. It is also his responsibility to ensure that the water is kept clean, adequate and regular supply of food is provided to the fishes.

• Managerial Personnel: The person who is working at a fish farm under a managerial capacitance has to oversee the production, distribution and sales aspects of the fishes bred at the farm. Additionally, the manager is also responsible for the maintenance of the fish farm and the necessary records. 

• Bio-technologists and other applied sciences’ professionals take up the mantle of technical detailing in a fish farm. The technical details pertain to the overall functioning of electrical equipments and the growth aspect of the fishes being bred in the farm.

Aquaculture studies can even be taken up by an individual either on a part-time or on a full-time basis. Additionally, aquaculture courses can be degree program or as a diploma program. The basic distinction between the degree and the diploma program being that the syllabus of the former includes those of the latter.

Details about the three aforementioned aquaculture courses can be explained as follows:

Degree Program: A two-year full time course

Diploma Program: Diploma programs are full-time programs, extending for a one-year period with internship opportunities for students

Certificate Program: A Certificate programs in aquaculture is a one-year course taught part-time

There are various institutes and universities around the world that offer courses in aquaculture. It would be in the better interests of the student, to opt for aquaculture studies from such a top-quality aquaculture university, especially if they are planning a full time career in this field.

The Institute of Stirling based in the United Kingdom is one such university. Not only is the institute accredited with top honours in the UK, but it also has affiliation with reputed international aquaculture universities.

Fish farming is not a well-known field for those who are not associated with the marine world. However, the profession and the field have a lot of opportunities for talented and skilled people making them extremely viable as good employment arenas.

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