Pisciculture

Introduction:

Pisciculture alias Fish Farming is the breeding, rearing and transplantation of fish by artificial means. It is a scientific technology for getting maximum fish production from a pond / tank or other enclosures through utilisation of available food organisms supplemented by artificial feeding. The word Pisciculture is derived from the Latin word 'piscis' meaning 'fish' and 'culture' means 'rearing'. Pisciculture can also be defined  as a branch of animal husbandry that deals with rational deliberate culturing  of fish/ fishes to marketable size in a controlled water body. It is the  principal form of Aquaculture. Pisciculture can be classified into small scale fish farming and large scale fish farming or commercial fish farming as per the requirement.

Pisciculture may be confused with Fishery Science. Fishery Science deals with all the aspects about cultivation and harvesting of fish on commercial basis in fresh water, brackish water and any marine environment. Whereas Pisciculture/ Fish Farming involves with the artificial way for breeding and cultivation of fish usually in large tanks and enclosures named hatchery. 

Nature of Work:

Pisciculturists are individuals specialised in the culturing of fish. They carry out scientific fish breeding and cultivation, and implement various methods of artificial propagation, i.e. fish hatching. One type of fish hatching is the method of collecting eggs from the female fish and fertilizing them in a small quantity of water - fresh or salt as required. Then it is kept in a special vessel provided with a suitable stream of water until the fry (newly hatched fish) are hatched or are active and hardy. Another method of fish hatching is keeping the adults alive until they are ready to spawn, and then stripping them or by keeping them in reservoirs of seawater and allowing them to spawn on their own accord.

Their work varies considerably, and they are responsible for :

• managing fish habitats throughout the year
• maintaining stock health and welfare issues
• feeding stock either manually or via automated machinery
• maintenance of equipment and cages
• dealing with the public or trade customers.

Personality:

Pisciculture is a field that requires lots of devotion, hard work and patience. To be a pisciculturist one should require: 

• Good entrepreneur skills and practical skills to utilize different fishery resources
• Good analytical and research skills as well as an inquisitive mind. 
• Good knowledge of different varieties of fish

Professional Courses:

After completing graduation, one can pursue 2 years M.F.Sc. (Masters of Fisheries Science) and there after go for research (take up Ph.D). 

Duration:

The duration of B.F.Sc course is 4 years

Eligibility:

The eligibility criteria for joining Degree courses in Pisciculture and Fishery Science is 10+2 or equivalent examination with biology as subsidiary (elective) subject. The duration of B.F.Sc course is 4 years

Career Prospects /Companies:

Employment opportunities are available for trained pisciculture professionals in various fish breeding farms, fish research centers and hatcheries. Post graduates in this field can join as pisciculturists in government, non-government and international organizations. A Pisciculture /fisheries graduate can apply for the post of Assistant Fisheries Development Officer (AFDO)/ Fisheries Extension Officer (FEO) and District Fisheries Development Officer. One can join as supervisor or manager in fish farms. Most fish farms only have few staff, so managers often do most of the duties in the farm as well as supervising fish farm workers. Those who have land and can raise enough capital, can start up their own farm, which is more lucrative

Remuneration:

Pisciculturists with own farm can expect to earn anything between Rs. 2,00,000 to Rs. 2,50,000 per annum from an acre of land. Those working in private or government sector organizations can receive a good salary of more than Rs. 25,000 per month.

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