B.F.Sc. is a 4-year undergraduate degree program, the minimum eligibility for which is passing of class 12th from a recognized school board or its equivalent exam. Fisheries science is the academic study of understanding and managing fisheries. It is a multidisciplinary science, that draws on the study and investigation of fish processing, aquaculture and fishery resource management, fishing technology and management, fisheries environment and fisheries extension.
Interested candidates can get admission in B.F.SC on the premise of candidate’s performance in a relevant entrance exam, and ensuing round of counseling.
Some of the top colleges and institutes which provide admission to B.F.SC. are as follows:
- Assam Agricultural University in Jorhat
- Indira Gandhi Krishi Vidyalaya in Raipur
- Junagadh Agricultural University in Junagadh
- Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies in Kochi
The average tuition fee charged for the course in India ranges between INR 5000 to 2 lacs for a span of 4 years.
Candidates who are interested in studying the aquatic life and need a career concentrating on a similar field may pursue this program. While this isn't an extremely prominent course, it is generally less saturated. Finding the best job after graduation won’t be an issue for B.F.SC. graduates.
The course empowers one to be technically qualified fisheries proficient with adequate abilities to oversee, conserve and create diversified fisheries resources in the country for quality fish protein and food security. Candidates can find job opportunities in public sector, for example, the nationalized banks and fisheries department.
Such postgraduates are hired in capacities such as Farm Manager, Hatchery Manager, Fisheries Inspector, Aqua Culturist, Fish Exporter, Marine Biologist & Marine Scientist, Fish Trader, Fish Breeder, Hatchery/Farm Operator, Fisheries Extension Officer/Technical Officer, Feed Mill Manager, Processing & Production Manager, Fish Export Inspector, Export Manager, Fisheries Extension Officer etc. The average salary for a fresh candidate is around 5 to 10 lacs per annum.
Top Colleges for Bachelor of Fisheries Science [BFSc]
B.F.Sc.: Course Highlights
| Course Level | Graduate |
| Duration of the Course | 4 years |
| Examination Type | Semester and Annual |
| Eligibility | 10+2 or equivalent education |
| Admission Process | Entrance exam and Merit Based |
| Average Course Fee | INR 5000 to 2 lacs |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 2 to 10 Lacs |
| Top Recruiting Companies | Export Inspection Agency ( EIA), Marine Product Export Development Authority (MPEDA), Coastal Aquaculture Authority of India (CAA), Fisheries Survey of India (FSI), Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Indian National Centre for Ocean and Information Services(INCOIS), National Institute of Oceanography(NIO), NIO, WHO etc, |
| Top Job Areas | Fisheries Colleges, Research Institutes, Fish Farmers Development Agencies, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Nationalized Banks, International Organizations, Aquariums, Fish Farms, Feed Manufacturing Units, Feed Sales Department, Ornamental Fish Culture and Breeding Centres, Hatchery and Seed Production Companies, Commercial Pearl Production Industry, Fish Processing and Marketing Firms, Net Making Units, Fish Disease Diagnostic Centre etc. |
| Top Job Positions | Farm Manager, Hatchery Manager, Fisheries Inspector, Aqua Culturist, Fish Exporter, Marine Biologist & Marine Scientist, Fish Trader, Fish Breeder, Hatchery/Farm Operator, Fisheries Extension Officer/Technical Officer, Feed Mill Manager, Processing & Production Manager, Fish Export Inspector, Export Manager, Fisheries Extension Officer etc. |
B.F.SC.: What is it About?
Fisheries Science is influenced by the conservation, catching, marketing, managing and processing of fish and is dealt with as a standout amongst the most vital territories in the field of Science. This field is an interdisciplinary one and necessities to gather information from various fields like Management, Oceanography, Ecology, Economics and Biology.
Both, B.F.Sc. and B.Sc. (Fisheries)
B.F.Sc.: Top Institutes
Given below are some of the top institutes in India that offer the course.
| Name of Institute | City | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Sacred Heart College | Ernakulam | INR 5,640 |
| Mahatma Gandhi University | Kottayam | INR 33,000 |
| Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies | Kochi | INR 29,400 |
| Cochin University of Science and Technology | Kochi | INR 42,300 |
| ST Albert’s College | Ernakulam | INR 13,000 |
| Patna University | Patna | INR 3,560 |
| Ashutosh College | Kolkata | INR 1,800 |
| Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology | Pantnagar | INR 84,100 |
| University of Calcutta | Kolkata | INR 7,030 |
| Annamalai University | Chidambaram | INR 13,200 |
| Utkal University | Bhubaneswar | INR 1,590 |
| Aligarh Muslim University | Aligarh | INR 7,630 |
| Junagadh Agriculture University | Junagadh | INR 21,8001 |
B.F.Sc.: Eligibility
Listed below are the minimum criteria which candidates interested in pursuing the course are required to fulfil, in order to be eligible to apply for the course.
To pursue a B.F.Sc. degree program, candidate requires a 10+2 pass in science stream with Physics, Chemistry and Biology as subjects.
B.F.Sc.: Admission Process
Candidates applying for B.F.Sc. courses in Fisheries after the completion of 10+2 with PCB group have to clear the entrance examination conducted by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Common Entrance Test. Some colleges and institutes provide direct admission based on marks and a round of personal interview of the candidates. Following are a few entrance tests that are conducted by some of the Bachelor of Fisheries Science colleges in India:
- Karnataka Common Entrance Test
- Junagadh Agricultural University Entrance Test
- Kerala Agricultural University Common Entrance Test
- Maharana Pratap University Graduate Test
- Central Institute of Fisheries, Nautical & Engineering Training Entrance Test.
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B.F.Sc.: Syllabus and Course Description
A year-wise breakup of the course’s syllabus is tabulated below.
| Semester I | Semester II |
|---|---|
| Principles of Aquaculture | Information & Communication Technology |
| Taxonomy of Finfish | Freshwater Aquaculture |
| Taxonomy of Shellfish | Anatomy of Finfish and Shellfish |
| Meteorology & Geography | Biology of Finfish & Shellfish |
| Principles of Biochemistry | Soil and Water Chemistry |
| Fundamentals of Microbiology | Limnology |
| Fishery Economics | Food chemistry & Fish in Nutrition |
| - | Biochemical Techniques & Instrumentation |
| Semester III | Semester IV |
| Culture of Fish Food Organisms | Aquaculture Engineering |
| Inland Fisheries | Ornamental Fish Production & Management |
| Oceanography | Coastal Aquaculture & Mariculture |
| Fish Nutrition & Feed Technology | Physiology of Finfish & shellfish |
| Marine Biology | Fishing Craft & Gear Technology |
| Refrigeration and Freezing Technology | Canning & Fish Packaging Technology |
| Statistical Methods in Fisheries | Extension Education in Fisheries |
| - | Fisheries Administration & Legislation |
| Semester V | Semester VI |
| Aquatic Ecology & Biodiversity | Biotechnology & Bioinformatics in Fisheries |
| Finfish Breeding & Hatchery Management | Fishery Genetics & Breeding |
| Shellfish Breeding & Hatchery Management | Fish Population Dynamics & Stock Assessment |
| Diseases & Management | Aquatic Pollution & Coastal Zone Management |
| Marine Fisheries | Fish Products and By products Technology |
| Disaster Management in Fisheries | Fish Microbiology and Quality Assurance |
| Navigation & Seamanship | Financing and Marketing Management in Fisheries |
| - | Entrepreneurship Development and Communication Skills |
| Semester VII | Semester VIII |
| Hands-on Training in Fisheries (Experiential Learning) | In-plant training in Fisheries |
B.F.Sc.: Career Prospects
There are numerous career opportunities available in the government and private sector. Candidates can opt for entrepreneurship, enterprise or independently employed in their own particular fisheries-related business. They can see that in every state or nation, the government has fisheries department in which they can apply for different posts.
Candidates can also apply for jobs in central government agencies such as Fisheries Survey of India (FSI), Marine Product Export Development Authority (MPEDA), WHO, NIO and numerous others. Candidates can apply for research projects and can opt for higher study. Aspirants can also apply for the jobs in banks, institutions, oceans, fishing and in foreign countries.
After possessing a degree of B.F.Sc, candidates can apply for the post of Research Assistant, Instructor, Biochemist, Technicians and Biologist etc. They can also apply in the fisheries department of state government for the positions such as; Inspector of Fisheries, Sub-Inspector of Fisheries, Research Assistants, Assistant Fisheries Development Officer ( AFDO ), Assistant Directors, Fisheries Development Officer(FDO) and Fisheries Extension Officer (FEO).
Further Studies: Students who wish to pursue higher studies can opt for Master of Fisheries Science (M.F.Sc.)
| Job Position | Job Description | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Farm Manager | Farm Manager is in-charge of general maintenance and management of a farm. They supervise the planting, fertilizing, cultivating, spraying, and harvesting process of crops. | INR 350,000 |
| Hatchery Manager | Hatchery Manager is responsible to oversee and direct the fish hatchery and fish farm activities, working to enhance profit and production through innovative and business management skills. | INR 259,121 |
| Fisheries Inspector | Fisheries Inspector is responsible to manage, monitor and protect farmed or wild fish stocks and the lakes, river and different habitats where they live. | INR 450,000 |
| Aqua Culturist | Aqua Culturist is responsible for the farming of aquatic organisms, including growing freshwater and culturing and shellfish, marine finfish, and aquatic plants. | INR 350,000 |
| Marine Biologist | Marine Biologist is responsible for examining and analysing the distribution and evolution of organisms and their environment into the sea. | INR 452,000 |
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