Aquaculture is the cultivation of aquatic organisms, such as fish, crustaceans, mollusks and plants in a controlled environment. It may be referred to as mariculture when practiced on saltwater species in marine environments, or as aquaponics when combining plant and animal cultivation in the same operation. However, the majority of aquaculture projects involve fish alone.

 

Academic programs in aquaculture may include general courses in biology, chemistry, mathematics and economics and more subject-specific courses in marine biology, limnology and ichthyology. Students gain practical skills in water quality testing, facility maintenance, disease prevention, breeding and feeding techniques. They also may learn industry-specific business marketing and management principles.

 

A roughly equivalent number of programs in aquaculture are offered at the certificate, associate's degree and bachelor's degree level. A smaller number are available at the master's degree and doctoral level. Graduates have found positions with private fish farms, public aquariums and government hatcheries. They have also become conservation aides and fisheries consultants.