Education facilities in Fisheries

Fisheries has developed as a specialized field in education with the development of fishing activities in Kerala. Actually, fisheries education has a very short history in Kerala. The first diploma course in fisheries started only in the first half of the twentieth century. Then specializations at the Post graduation level were started in 1938 at Kerala University. A professional degree programme was started only in 1979 under the Kerala Agricultural university.

Now the B.F.Sc. programme in Fisheries is offered by the College of Fisheries, Panangad, Kochi. It is a eight semester professional course. Degree is awarded by Kerala Agricultural University. Selection is through the Entrance Test conducted by the State Government. Also nation wide entrance test is conducted by the ICAR for students outside Kerala. Post graduation facilities with specializations in Aquaculture, Fishery biology, fish processing and fishery hydrography are also provided for B.F.Sc holders. The degree awarded will be M.F.Sc in the opted specialization. Ph.D. programmes in Aquaculture and Fish Processing are also run at the college.

Cochin University runs a Post graduate programme in Industrial Fisheries. The admission is for zoology or fisheries graduates. Kerala University runs an M.Sc, programme in Aquaculture and Fisheries. Ph.D. facilities are there in both these Universities.

Central Institute of Fisheries Nautical Engineering and Technology, Kochi (Govt.of India) offers a degree programme in fishing technology and related subjects.

Some of the Private Colleges coming under M.G.University (S.H.College,Thevara, Kochi and St Alberts' College, Kochi) and Calicult University (MES Asmabi College, Kodungallur) also offer three year degree programmes in Aquaculture and Industrial Fisheries.