Working with pisces

From the very beginning, fish have been an inseparable part of human life, especially in India, surrounded as it is by various water bodies. Through empirical observation, fish have proved to be of high nutritional value. This gave rise to a new course of study called aquaculture. A subject that is currently flourishing in our country as well as abroad. With fish being a staple diet for many coastal states in India, aquaculture is greatly encouraged. India has a 7,500 km coastline, and longer inland water channels resulting in the proliferation of the fishery industry. This is also making aquaculture a viable career option for those interested in this stream of biological science.

Aquaculture involves the study of fish cultivating methods, harvesting, freezing, and canning in both coastal as well as inland factories. There are other fields of too such as algae culture and growing of cultured pearls. Though still in its early stages, there is a lot of scope for development. One can find employment in fish farms in the areas of design, construction and management as well. The central food technological research institute’s biology department, the Indian council of agriculture research, and the maritime products export development authority are encouraging and boosting this industry in India.

There are many other institutes that offer a Bachelor’s degree as well as master’s degree in fisheries throughout the country. There are diploma courses too, offered by several institutes. Some academic institutions also offer short term certificate courses. A graduate can try their hands at brood stock collection, breeding fish in artificial conditions, managing water quality, oxygen packing and transportation. Being involved in this field requires knowledge to handle fish, dissect them and the ability to swim. It is a major setback if one cannot physically handle or stand their smell. Being seasick is also a problem for certain kinds of job in the aquaculture industry.

Satyam Kumar Kundu, professor of industrial fish and fisheries, Asutosh College, elaborates on the nature and benefits of taking up aquaculture.

Excerpts:

What are the specialties of aquaculture as a career?

The specialty in this career is that students can easily get government jobs. The West Bengal fisheries department takes plenty of students for the post of fishery field assistant, regarding more preference to the students from the department of fisheries, and not the ones from zoology or botany. So, aquaculture according to me is the best subject under biological science. They can also get jobs in private sectors.

How is the nature of the work in this industry?

This industry involves the study of methods of fish cultivation and harvesting, freezing and canning in both coastal as well as inland factories. Also, there is a necessity to figure out ways of marketing both within and outside the country, the transportation and delivery of fishes.

What are the requirements to take aquaculture as a career?

The students wanting to pursue aquaculture should take up science in class 12 since the degree offered in aquaculture is a science degree. However, it is best to check with individual institutes to see what their requirements are. The cut offs for these institutes vary. My college prefers those students who have achieved letter, and star marks in their higher secondary in all the three science subjects, that is, biology, chemistry, and physics.

What are the jobs under aquaculture?

One can get jobs under the West Bengal fisheries department, and even under the central government’s fisheries department. There are posts such as fishery field assistant, assistant deputy, deputy director and many more. After perusing a career in aquaculture, one can either find jobs in fishery industry or in pharmaceutical companies. They can even opt for research and development and teaching. Private industries too are involved and usually work for packaging and canning fishes.

Are the remunerations in this sector satisfactory?

For teachers, the remuneration is as per the University Grants Commission guidelines. Even while one is a research fellow one can get a salary of Rs 8,000 per month. For professors, the salary can go up to Rs 25,000 per month. Farming supervisors can get a salary between Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000. For entrepreneurs, the returns are not defined but the scope is tremendous.