Careers in Fisheries

Is the term ‘fishery’ only related to capturing variety of fishes to satisfy protein and palatal requirement of us humans? There is more to it than this.

Fisheries mainly refers to organized efforts related to capturing fishes from inland or sea waters along with other aquatic species. Work in this field also entails catching, processing and then marketing fishes apart from devising means to conserve them.

Fisheries-science is the academic discipline which teaches individuals to manage and understand fisheries. The field is multi-disciplinary, in that it teaches subjects like biological studies of life and habits and breeding various species of fishes. The study also give in-depth knowledge about husbandry and farming of important species and other aquatic life-forms in different water-bodies including fresh water, brackish waters, and other marine environs.

Students pursuing a course in fisheries will learn about environmental science, oceanography, management and economics of fishes and about its ecosystem. Students are made aware of ecological factors which affect availability of fishes and the impact fishing has on biological balance.

A scholar from this field can contribute towards biotechnology and fish-genetics. Whatever the area of specialization, a person working in this sector should have dedication, a sense of commitment and thorough knowledge of the subject in order to get established as a fishery-scientist.

Students can opt for a course in fisheries-science in undergrad or post-grad level or even look for a diploma or degree in this field. The minimum qualification to enroll in a degree programme in the Bachelor’s degree level is completion of 12th standard examination from a recognized board in subjects including physics, biology and chemistry.

In case of diploma or post-grad programmes, students should possess a Bachelor’s degree in either Zoology or Fishery-science. Doctoral programmes are also available in some institutes in this field.

The next question is job-opportunities after completion of a course in this field. One can choose from an entire range of options including working as a farm manager, processing in-charge of stock, hatchery manager, fishery-inspector and post-harvest manager. Scholars from this field can look for opportunities in industries related to fishery or aquaculture - technology. Those interested in academics can opt for teaching or research work. Newer work avenues like marine - fishery interviewers, IT specialists, aquatic ecologist, environmental project manager and eco-toxicologist are also available.

Where can one get to pursue these courses? There are many renowned institutes in India offering various courses in this field like:

• Central Institute of Fisheries Education which ha`s branches in cities like Mumbai, Kakkinad, Kolkata and Rohtak.
• College of Fisheries, Kerala.
• Department of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, Kerala.
• Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi
• Central Martine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi
• School of Applied Life-Sciences, Kerala

On completion of a suitable course from a recognized institute and getting placed in one of the organizations related to this branch of science, a beginner can expect to start with a salary of 10,000 to 15,000 rupees per month. On gaining experience or/and higher qualifications, the individual will be able to earn more. The remuneration also depends on the skills and designation held by an individual.

With its vast coast-line, India is becoming a major hub of fisheries-science education. Globalization, faster means of dispatching and receiving goods from distant sources and rising popularity of sea-food abroad is making a career in this field sound lucrative to today’s youngsters.