As a peninsula, India has a large coastal area. The Fishery Survey of India reported in their 2012-13 annual report that over 41.44 tonnes of fish was caught in a span of over 30 months. A course in Fisheries Sciences will cover aquatic environment and biodiversity; environmental biotechnology and water management and utilisation. Research opportunities are available at Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi; Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Ernakulam, Kerala; Fisheries Institute of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (in West Bengal, Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi, Bhubaneswar and Lucknow) and Government of India’s National Fisheries Development Board in Hyderabad. Barkatullah University in Bhopal, is the only university to offer an MPhil in Fisheries Sciences, while other colleges offer BFSc, MFSc and PhD programmes.
Tamil Nadu Fisheries University
The University which has constituent units in Tuticorin, Tiruvallur, Nagapattinam, Kanyakumari, Thanjavur and Chennai, offers a BFSc and MFSc in Fisheries. Their annual intake is 40 and candidates of any discipline can apply. The BFSc is a four-year course, while MFSc is for two years. Students will get hands-on training in Ornamental Fish Culture, Finfish and Shellfish Seed Production, Aqua Farming and Fish Post Harvest Technology. In-plant training on Fish Processing Plants, Fishery Product Development Units and Fish export organisations among other topics, will also be held in their final semester.
VISIT: www.tnfu.org.in/university/wp
Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies
The Kochi-based institute offers a BFSc and MFSc. PG specialisations include Aquatic Environment Management, Aquaculture, Fisheries Economics, Fish Genetics and Breeding and Aquatic Animal Health Management. They also offer a PhD in Fisheries Science. Candidates will have to sit for an entrance exam and personal interview after their initial application for admissions.
VISIT: www.kufos.ac.in
Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology
Its College of Fisheries in Ganjam, offers a four-year BFSc, two-year MFSc and a PhD in
Aquaculture. Courses from the Department of Fishery Extension Education and Social Sciences, Aquaculture, Fishery Biology and Capture Fisheries,
Fishery Hydrographic and Fish Harvesting and Processing Technology are included in the syllabus.
VISIT: www.ouat.ac.in
Kerala Agricultural University
The College of Fisheries in Panangad, Kochi, offers a BFSc and an MFSc course. The faculties are divided into Aquaculture, Fishery Biology, Processing Technology, Fishery Hydrography, Fishing Technology, Fishery Engineering and Management Studies. MFSc specialisations are available in various topics including Aquaculture, Processing Technology and Fisheries Extension. PhD programmes are also offered.
VISIT: www.kau.edu/cofishpanangad.htm