Fishery Science

Fisheries, as the name suggests is an organized effort which is related to the capturing of fish including inland and sea or other aquatic species. This industry involves catching, processing, marketing and conservation of fish. Fisheries Science is an academic discipline of managing and understanding fisheries. This is a multidisciplinary subject that includes the biological study of life, habits and breeding of various species of fish. It also involves farming and husbandry of important fishes and aquatic organisms in fresh water, brackish water and any marine environment. Fisheries aims at developing and maintaining sea wealth. Fisheries are estimated to provide 16% of the world population's protein and India holds the seventh position in the world as regards to the value of fish exports. Around 8 million people of India are directly or indirectly dependent on the fisheries sector. The rapidly developing fishery industry, provides employment not only to the traditional fishermen, but also to the highly skilled personnel engaged in the scientific breeding and management of fisheries. The scope in the field of fishery science is increasing with the development of brackish water and freshwater aquaculture. Because of the country's expansive natural resources, dynamic entrepreneurial skills, this profession is advantageous to the Indian economy also. A career in fisheries science can create an aqua culturist, farm managers, exporters, traders, breeders and modern fishermen's, etc. The main objective of fisheries science is to make available the much needed technically competent extension personnel for transfer of technology. It helps a person to assist the research and development; to develop and execute fisheries development plan. Eligibility Fisheries Science can be studied at the graduate and postgraduate level. To become a fisheries graduate one has to pass a 4 year degree course i.e B.F.Sc (Bachelor of Fisheries Science) from fisheries colleges of state agriculture universities. Eligibility criteria for B.F.Sc is 10+2 with biological science as one of the subjects. The B.F.Sc course enables a candidate with basic knowledge in all the three categories of fisheries science i.e. capture, culture and post harvest technology. Admission : Admission is given as per merit of candidates and availability of seats. For admission to various Central Institute of Fisheries Education in the country, the candidates has to appear for an all India level common entrance test conducted by ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research), New Delhi. Special quota for outside state candidates are allowed to the candidates who have passed entrance exam of ICAR and are getting-fellowship too. After completing B.F. Sc., one can take M.F.Sc. which is of 2 year duration. (Masters of Fisheries Science). After getting a professional degree in Fisheries Science, one can goes into research- oriented activities. Course Areas : B.F. Sc. students are trained in a wide variety of subjects such as aquaculture (inland and freshwater), mariculture, industrial fisheries, fish processing and post harvest technology, fish nutrition, pathology, environment, ecology and extension etc. Sustainable fish production practices and scientific breeding and management of fishes are major areas of specialization. The course also contains practical experience like on sea cruise on fishing vessels for data collection & fishing, in processing plants and on aqua farms. Personal Skills : Those who have taken fishery science as a career must possess a genuine interest in marine life and should be free from sea sickness. The field requires a lot of research work and one should have research oriented mentality. Dedication to work, devotion, hard working, patients, a curious, inquisitive mind are essential. Quick thinking and the ability to come up with new ideas are advantageous. A good Managerial skill is also required, as fishery science is a filed which is directly or indirectly related to business. Apart from the B.F.Sc & M.F.Sc. various fisheries institutes several vocational training courses related to fisheries and allied disciplines.