Bachelor of Fisheries Science

Bachelor of Fisheries Science (B.F.Sc) is a four-year undergraduate program that deals with the conservation and processing of fishes. The course is just not limited to the conservation of fishes but also imparts knowledge about catching, managing, breeding, and marketing of the fishes.

B.F.Sc. is a four-year degree course divided into eight equal semesters and can be either pursued full time (regular) or part-time or through distance learning. The course pattern may vary from institute to institute. It mainly involves the study of how the breeding between the various species take place so that one is well equipped with the fish farming and in the husbandry of other important aquatic animals in both freshwater and any other marine environment.

Candidates who wish to pursue B.F.Sc. must have a research-oriented background as it is a multidisciplinary science and involves various disciplines of aquaculture, breeding, genetics, farming, diagnosing various diseases and illness in fishes, medical treatment and others.

Why Choose Bachelor of Fisheries Science (B.F.Sc )?

Bachelor of Fisheries Science can be chosen for the following reasons:

• Bachelor of Fisheries Science (B.F.Sc ) course paves the path for working in the fisheries industry. This industry contributes 4.6% of the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the nation. In future the number will increase more. So will increase the demand of the professionals.
• The industry always has a requirement of qualified fisheries skilled in managing and conserving the fisheries resources. By pursuing B.F.Sc, students will gain that required expertise and will be able to excel in the field.
• An array of career options is there in the field. A B.F.Sc graduate can start their career as Aqua Culturist, Field Mill Manager, Fish Export Inspector, Marine Biologist, Marine Scientist etc.

Who Should Pursue Bachelor of Fisheries Science (B.F.Sc )?

Students who have interest in aquatic life and want to know more about it can join B.F.Sc. They should have good understanding and research-oriented mind. As fisheries is all about producing and raising fish and different aquatic life, technical understanding is needed. Students who have this quality can opt for this course. The industry of fisheries requires hard-working and dedicated professionals. Apart from that, some skills are required to have to start a the career in fisheries science. Those who have the following skills can obtain the Bachelor of Fisheries Science (B.F.Sc) course.

• Managerial Skills
• Problem solving skills
• Learning skills
• Communication skills

Bachelor of Fisheries Science (B.F.Sc) Course Highlights

Some of the major highlights of Bachelor of Fisheries Science (B.F.Sc) course are given below:

In order to pursue the Bachelor of Fisheries Science (B.F.Sc) course, the candidates will have to fulfil the given below eligibility criteria:

• The candidate must have passed class 12th or equivalent from a recognized board.

• The candidate must have studied Mathematics and Physics as the main subjects in class 12th along with one of the optional subjects as Chemistry/ Biology/ Biotechnology/ Computer Science.

• The candidate must have acquired a minimum aggregate of 50% in the qualifying examination.

Admission Process

The admission to Bachelor of Fisheries Science (B.F.Sc) course is done in two ways:

Merit-Based: The merit-based admission to the course is done directly on the basis of score obtained by the candidate in the qualifying examination. Some colleges also prepare a cutoff list based on the qualifying examination for admission.

Bachelor of Fisheries Science (B.F.Sc ) merit-based admission goes in the following manner:

• Registration for B.F.Sc Application for the respective colleges need to be done
• Application form should be filled up and submitted within deadline
• Colleges/institutes releases merit list and offer admission to selected students

Entrance Based: The entrance based admission to the course is done on the basis of score obtained by the candidate in a national level, state level or college level entrance exams. The admission is done through the counselling process.

Bachelor of Fisheries Science (B.F.Sc ) entrance exams based admission is done in the following ways:

• Candidates apply for the B.F.Sc entrance test
• On the scheduled date they appear on the entrance exam
• Then the exam conducting body releases the results
• After that colleges prepare a merit list based on the scores of the entrance exam
• Shortlisted students are then asked to participate in the counselling process
• Seats are offered as per preferences and seat availability

First Year:

Second Year:

Third Year:

Fourth Year:

After completing B.FSc., it enables students to be qualified as fisheries professionals with skills to manage, breed, conserve, and develop different fisheries resources across the country for the quality fish production and food security.

Interested students can go for the M.F.Sc program or can start their own business as fish farming. They can find employment opportunities in both private and public sector as biologists, biochemists or as research assistants in State Fisheries Development Boards and State Food Departments. The average salary of graduate is between Rs. 3 lakh to Rs. 4 lakh.

Here’s a list of popular job types after graduation in B.FSc.

• Farm Manager
• Aqua Culturist
• Marine Scientist
• Fish Breeder/ Trader
• Feed Mill Manager
• Fish Export Inspector
• Marine Biologist
• Fisheries Technical Officer
• Processing Manager
• Production Manager 

Bachelor of Fisheries Science (B.F.Sc) Employment Areas

B.F.Sc graduates are recruited in both the private and public sectors. Bachelor of Fisheries Science (B.F.Sc) employment areas are discussed below:

State Government Fisheries

Every Indian state has fisheries department and professionals having B.F.Sc degree are desirable there. Graduates of fisheries science can apply for the post of Fisheries Extension Officer, Assistant Fisheries Development Officer, Sub-Inspector of Fisheries etc.

Central Government Fisheries

Different central organizations recruit the B.F.Sc graduates in the post of Officers. Some of these organizations are listed below:

• Coastal Aquaculture Authority of India
• Export Inspection Agency
• Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
• Indian National Centre for Ocean and Information Services
• National Institute of Oceanography
• Marine Product Export Development Authority
• Academic Institutes

Students having Bachelor of Fisheries Science ( B.F.Sc)can join academic institutes in the post of researcher, technicians, instructor, research assistant etc. After pursuing Master’s in fisheries science one can work as the assistant professor in the department of fisheries of any university.

Fish Farming Sector

Professionals having B.F.Sc degree are employed as Farm in Charge in different fish farming and its allied sectors.

Apart from the above-mentioned sectors, a Bachelor of Fisheries Science graduate can also start working in the national banks as assistant development officer, field officer etc. Private sectors are also open for them where they can start their career as managers.

Bachelor of Fisheries Science (B.F.Sc) Salary

Salary after Bachelor of Fisheries Science depends on the specific domain chosen by the students. After pursuing the course, one can get both the private and public sector jobs. Tabulated below are the job roles and the average salaries offered for those posts: