Career in fisheries sector after B.F.Sc
Are you searching for career opportunities in fisheries sector after B.F.Sc (Bachelor of Fisheries Science)? Have a look into this article and get more information regarding the scope, academic requirements, and the career opportunities in fisheries and aquaculture sector in India.
Introduction
Fishing is one of the primary occupations in the coastal areas of India. The country is earning a decent income through fisheries sector. To develop the areas of fisheries and aquaculture, the Fisheries College of State Agricultural Universities offer a course in fisheries science. Bachelor of Fisheries Science (B.F.Sc) is a 4 year UG degree programme offered in India for the studies in fisheries science. The course covers all the aspects of fisheries science including industrial fisheries, freshwater aquaculture, inland aquaculture, marine culture, fish nutrition, environment, ecology, fish processing, preservation, and packing. A lot of research activities are also being carried out in the fisheries sector. B.F.Sc is not a popular course but still, the people who have an interest in aquatic life wish to pursue a degree in fisheries science. Eligibility to pursue B.F.Sc degree after Class 12
The students who wish to hold a B.F.Sc degree must have secured pass marks in 10+2 examinations in science stream with a minimum aggregate mark from a recognized board. The minimum aggregate mark varies depending upon the institute. To obtain admission at the fisheries colleges in India, the candidates must have completed education in science stream with subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB).Higher education after B.F.Sc
A lot of job opportunities are available for the B.F.Sc graduates in India. But after the completion of UG degree in fisheries science, candidates who wish to pursue higher education can apply for M.F.Sc, Ph.D. and MBA. M.F.Sc
In India, B.F.Sc and M.F.Sc courses are offered at the fisheries colleges operating under the State Agricultural Universities and Veterinary and Animal Science universities. To get admissions for M.F.Sc course at the Central Institutes in India, interested candidates have to attend the All India Common Entrance Test conducted by ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research). The course duration of M.F.Sc is 2 years. Some of the PG courses in fisheries are
Ph.D
Ph.D programmes in fisheries and aquaculture are also available in the research institutes and the fisheries colleges in India. Based on the area of interest, the students can involve into the research activities conducted under various fisheries science areas such as aquaculture engineering, fish pathology, fish nutrition, fish genetics, water quality, hatchery production, culture and fish breeding, intensive fish farming, fish health management and integrated fish-livestock farming. MBA
Other than M.F.Sc and Ph.D., the candidates with B.F.Sc degree can also join an MBA programme. Obtaining an MBA will help to improve the entrepreneur skills and management skills of an individual if he/she wish to start a fish breeding center or fish processing company or any marketing business in fisheries and aquaculture. Central Research Institutes for Fisheries in India
Mentioned below is the name of the eight central research institutes operating in India under the fisheries division of ICARCareer opportunities in fisheries
Lot of job opportunities are available for the fisheries graduates in India at the Government sectors, Private sectors and Research Institutes. Listed below are the career opportunities in fisheries Government sector
Jobs are available for fisheries graduates in the fisheries department of both the state and the central government. A fisheries graduate can apply for the post of District Fisheries Development Officer, Fisheries Extension Officer (FEO), and Assistant Fisheries Development Officer (AFDO) in the fisheries department operating under a state government.
Jobs are also available for UG and PG graduates in the agencies such as Fisheries Survey of India (FSI), National bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Health Organization (WHO), Marine Product Export Development Authority(MPEDA), National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) and Network of Aquaculture Centers in Asia-Pacific(NACA). Teaching and Research
Biochemist, technicians, research assistant and biologist are the various posts are available in the academic institutes for the B.F.Sc graduates. The department of fisheries in the fisheries institutes and colleges hires M.F.Sc graduates for the post of Assistant Professor.
One can also become a scientist in Central Research Institutes such as CMFRI, NFDB, CIFT, CIFA, CIFE, CIBA, etc. by passing Agricultural Research Service (ARS) exam of ICAR. Private sector
For the fisheries graduates, the private sector offers a wide range of job opportunities. The jobs are available for B.F.Sc and M.F.Sc graduates in fish breeding farms, seafood processing firms, pharmaceutical companies, fish farms, fishing industries, hatcheries, seafood export companies, and quality central labs. Banks
Fisheries graduates have job opportunities for the post of fisheries officer and agricultural officer in the national and private banks operating in India. Jobs in foreign countries
Wide opportunities are available for fisheries graduates in foreign countries such as China, Japan, USA, Australia, Canada, and in the countries of Africa and Europe. In foreign countries, many private sectors, export units, and universities hire fisheries graduates. Research scholars also have a good scope in the research institutes of the foreign countries.Self-employment
After completing B.F.Sc or M.F.Sc, the graduates can become entrepreneurs by starting own fisheries and aquaculture firms, fish processing, and marketing industries, feed manufacturing industries and so on.
Alternatively, a student can apply for M.Sc with fisheries or M.Sc with Aquaculture or M.sc with Industrial Fish and Fisheries. A student can also secure job as a fisheries inspector, marine biologist or aquaculturist.