Fisheries Science Courses in India

Fisheries Science Courses in India provide both scientific knowledge and skills essential for a Fisheries Science Career in India. The dictionary definition for Fisheries is - A workplace where fish are caught and processed and sold. Fisheries Science is thus, in simple terms, a field which pertains to fish catching, processing, marketing and conservation. In the context of literary definition - Fisheries Science is an academic discipline of managing and understanding fisheries. Fisheries science utilises a multidisciplinary approach in studying valuable fishes, aquatic organisms in fresh water, brackish water and any marine environment. Involving a multidisciplinary approach it uses the knowledge of other disciplines viz. oceanography, marine biology, economics, management etc. A Fishery Science professional or expert is generally referred as Fishery Scientist. Fishery Scientists conduct biological study of life, habits and breeding, farming of various species of fish and other aquatic organisms. India ranks second, worldwide in fresh water fish production and Third Largest producer of Fish as per Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries (DADF). DADF also provides the status of fish production in India which has increased from 7.1 million tonnes in 2007-08 to 7.6 million tonnes in 2008-09. The figures reflect a profitable avenue for employment in fishing industry. Fisheries Science is comparable to Aquaculture and Aqua Science. These are akin but have different objectives. Fisheries Science is a field of Agriculture and it comes under the administration of Department of Animal Husbandry Dairying & Fisheries (DADF). It is one of the Departments under the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India.

Few of the specialized fields

• Aquaculture
• Fish Economics & Management
• Fish Technology & Engineering
• Hydrography
• Fish Biology

Fisheries Science Course Content 

The study of this field includes all or few of these –

• Principles of Aquaculture
• Fisheries Statistics
• Disaster Management in Fisheries
• Shellfish Breeding and Hatchery Management

Fisheries Science Course Objectives

• To enable essential transfer of technology, in turn enabling technical competency.
• To ensure conservation of fishes and their environment.
• To develop and execute fisheries development plan.

Fisheries Course: Basic Requirements

The graduate course in Fisheries Science is known as B.F.Sc. or B.Sc. (Fisheries) which are same. Bachelor degree can be achieved in various areas of fishing science as provided in the course’s list.

To pursue a B.Sc. (Fisheries) or B.F.Sc. (Bachelor of Fisheries Science) course, a candidate needs to be 10+2 pass in science stream with Physics, Chemistry and Biology as subjects.

The candidate also needs to appear for an all India Level Common Entrance Test conducted by ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research), New Delhi, to get admission in various Central Institutes of Fisheries.

Age limit is Minimum 17 Years and Maximum 20 Years.

Personal Attributes – Fisheries Science is all about fishes and other important aquatic organisms, thus a keen interest in aquatic life is a must. One may be require travelling in sea, so one should be strong not to get sea sick or one should develop a habit of sea travel. Research work may require swimming as well so one should have good stamina and good lung capacity

Some of the Major Fisheries Science Colleges / Institutes

• Central Institute of Fisheries Nautical and Engineering Training
• Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai
• Maharashtra Animal and Fisheries Sciences University
• Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University

Fisheries Science Career & Job Perspectives

Fisheries science careers are numerous. Fisheries science jobs are available in government agencies, state departments of agriculture, nationalized banks and private organisations. One can start a career in state fisheries department which offer fresh graduates the post of Fisheries Extension Officer (FEO), District Fisheries Development Officer and Assistant Fisheries Development Officer. At the central level, one can get job in agencies like Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), National Fisheries Development Board, Marine Product Export Development Authority (MPEDA), Fisheries Survey of India (FSI), NIO, WHO, FAO, NACA, NABARD, EIA etc. One can work under various positions in loan section of nationalised and private banks. There are many areas of self employment and entrepreneurship development in fisheries like seed production, export, farming etc. Those with post graduate qualifications can work in teaching and research departments. Fisheries graduates are in great demand for fisheries professional in the aquaculture and processing sectors in gulf and African countries.

Remuneration – Fisheries science remunerations varies widely, depending on chosen area. In government sector one can start as fisheries scientist with a pay scale ranging between Rs. 15,000-40,000. Entrepreneurship is more profitable and earning can go to 1 lakh per month.

Job Types

• Aqua Culturist
• Fish Exporter
• Fish Trader
• Fish Breeder
• Fishery Manager
• Biologist Supervisor
• Aquatic Chemist
• Physical Limnologist
• Oceanographer
• Marine Geologist
• Aquarist
• Environmental Planner
• Port Authority Worker
• Marine Science Writer
• Field Banks Officer
• Loan Managers
• Research Assistant
• Biologist
• Technician

Employment Areas

• Fisheries Colleges
• Research Institutes
• Fish Farmers Development Agencies
• Krishi Vigyan Kendras
• Nationalised Banks
• International Organisations (FAO, NACA)
• Aquariums
• Fish Farms
• Feed Manufacturing Units
• Feed Sales Department
• Ornamental Fish Culture and Breeding Centres
• Hatchery and Seed Production Companies
• Commercial Pearl Production Industry
• Fish Processing and Marketing Firms
• Net Making Units
• Fish Disease Diagnostic Centre
• Consultancies