Every year, every German eats an average of more than 15 kg of fish and other marine animals. 270,000 tons of the total demand are caught in German waters or grown in aquaculture. A total of 140 million tons of marine animals are caught by fishermen worldwide every year . Qualified professionals ensure that the demand for fish and marine animals is met without destroying fish and marine animal stocks.
The subject of fish economics
Studying fisheries science or aquaculture prepares you for the economic and ecological challenges of today’s fisheries . The students deal with the forms of fish farming, the technologies of aquaculture and the basics of fishery management. The curriculum also includes fishing law and sustainable protection of marine ecology.
In fisheries science , the focus is on fishing in open ocean or inland waters. In contrast, aquaculture is about the controlled rearing of fish and marine animals in specially created water tanks or fenced-off water areas. Biology plays just as important a role in both courses as business administration and nature conservation .
Studying fisheries science in Germany
Currently, the subjects of fisheries science and aquaculture can only be chosen in Germany in the form of advanced master’s courses . A successfully completed bachelor’s degree is therefore compulsory for aspiring fishing experts. Depending on the university, a specialized master’s degree can be followed by a bachelor’s degree in agricultural sciences, biology, environmental or engineering sciences .
If you are enthusiastic about studying nature conservation and fishing, you must also have a good command of English , as some of the universities offer the subject in English.
Study fisheries science abroad
Whether a semester abroad or a full course of study – a stay abroad in the field of fisheries science makes sense. The fishing industry is globally networked . A good understanding of the relationships and differences between the individual ecosystems and the global fisheries market is therefore increasingly important.
According to thembaprograms, many universities are located in regions where fishing and fish farming play an important role economically and ecologically. They are often well equipped and offer international students excellent study conditions. The geographical and ecological differences can be experienced first hand through excursions and practical study projects in and on bodies of water near the university.
Bachelor courses abroad
In contrast to Germany, other countries offer an undergraduate degree in fisheries science . The bachelor’s degree courses in Aquaculture and Fisheries or Fisheries Biology are widespread . So if you already know after graduating from high school that you see your future in the fishing industry, a complete bachelor’s degree abroad is recommended .
Likewise, non-subject students from biology, agriculture or environmental sciences benefit from the courses in fisheries science abroad. They can take their first courses as part of a semester or year abroad.
Masters courses abroad
Anyone who wants to gain further qualifications after completing a bachelor’s degree can optimally prepare for their future work in the fishing industry with a master’s degree abroad . A generalist master’s degree as well as specialization in a sub-area such as Freshwater Fisheries or Tropical Marine Ecology is possible.
Occupational fields
With a degree in fisheries science, you are well prepared to take on managerial positions in one of the following institutions:
- in aquaculture facilities
- in the management of large fishing operations
- in research and development
- in state research institutes
- in international organizations
- in quality assurance
- as an appraiser or expert
- in the distribution of fishery products
A large part of all fishery products are imports. Problems such as overfishing of the world’s oceans must therefore be solved globally. For this reason, research in the areas of aquaculture or marine nature conservation also takes place in international research groups. A good command of English and intercultural competence are therefore essential for graduates of the fishing industry degree. One or more semesters abroad prepare for these requirements and also enable students to gain further technical qualifications.
