Higher Education & Placement Opportunities In Oceanography and Fishery Technology

A Masters of Science in Zoology with specialization in Oceanography and Fishery Technology provides an academic foundation in the primary sub-disciplines of Oceanography and advanced knowledge and skills required in Fishery Technology. There are plenty of career opportunities in government as well as private sector for both the subjects. As the number of students who pursue Oceanography is relatively small, many unique opportunities exist in this field. This course may be helpful to acquire the marine science position in a government agencies helping to establish marine policies or performing fisheries management. Also, in a research setting, one can be absorbed as a field or data technician. If one chooses to further specialize or go on to a career in research, will have the academic foundation necessary to pursue a doctoral degree in the chosen field.

In India, many prestigious institutions like CSIR-NIO, NCPOR, CMLRE, ICAR-CIFT, ICAR-CMFRI, ICAR-CIFE and many state universities like University of Mumbai, Goa University, CUSAT, CUFOS, University of Hyderabad, Anna University, Bharathidasan University, Tamilnadu Fisheries University, Karnataka University, Dharwad (Karnataka), Pondicherry University, Port Blair offer Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programme in Oceanography or Marine Science/Biology. Aspirants need to qualify the competitive examinations like NET-JRF/NET or GATE in order to get admitted in these national level research institutes. Almost all universities those offer Ph.D programme, have their own Entrance Test for admission. Marine plankton ecology, Coral ecology, marine invertebrates and vertebrates, marine benthic life, Bioprospecting, Toxicology, marine production and deep sea processes are some of favourite research areas amongst biological oceanographers.

Graduate and Post Graduate degree holders can also apply for the post of research assistant or project assistant/fellow in such research institutes and universities; which can cater a direct exposure to the research setting in the respective field. After earning the doctoral degree in Oceanography, one can also enrol for Post-Doctoral degree in India or abroad. Doctoral Degree with good publications in National and International peer-viewed Journals can be considered as minimum criteria for opting the position of Scientist in reputed and premium research institutes. Aspirants can also build their career in Academics as Assistant Professor in colleges and universities after qualifying the eligibility criteria.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) can also be done in Fishery Science and Technology, Aquaculture etc. Aspirants can choose programmes that fit with their research interests in subject areas viz. fish nutrition, fish pathology, water quality & management, aquaculture, fish systematics (taxonomy), breeding technology, hatchery production and management, fish processing and preservation, production of value-added or by-products from fishes and shell fishes etc. Many of the ICAR institutes, state universities and agricultural universities offer Ph.D programmes in areas like fisheries, aquaculture and industrial fisheries (Fish Processing Technology).

Post-graduates in Fishery Science and Technology are available with a variety of employment opportunities, including central and state government agencies, academic institutions and aquaculture farms. Government agencies and fishery based-industries recruit positions like aquaculture assistant, fish/shellfish culturist, hatchery technician, biological science technician, fish research assistant etc. In India, every coastal state has its fisheries department, it recruits fisheries graduates and post graduates for the posts like Assistant Fisheries Development Officer (AFDO)/ Fisheries Extension Officer (FEO) and District Fisheries Development Officer. Aspirants can also seek for posts in Central Government institutions /agencies like Marine Product Export Development Authority (MPEDA), Fisheries Survey of India (FSI) etc.

Fishery Technology also provides a direct avenue in the industries dealing with fish and fish products processing (value added and by-products) as Unit Supervisor/ Manager, Quality Control Analyst, Fish Processor, Aquaculturist, Farm Assistant/ Manager etc. The pay varies according to the type of job and specialization of the candidate. Further, the university’s curriculum is such a well designed that it imparts the comprehensive knowledge and skills to set up own business boosting the self-employability. Aspirants can also think about the entrepreneurship or self-employment in fisheries-related business.

In many foreign countries like USA, UK, Canada, Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea, China, Japan, Australia and many European countries have higher demand for potential fisheries professionals in the aquaculture. Highly qualified fisheries personnel get promising job opportunities with attractive salary and perks. They can also be appointed as Assistant Director, Research Assistant and Fisheries Inspector etc. in foreign government establishments.

• List of the few National/ State Oceanography and Fishery Institutes
• Fisheries Colleges under State Universities