- What is Aquaculture and Environmental Management?
- Why study Aquaculture and Environmental Management at NMIT?
- What facilities does NMIT offer?
- Where will studying Aquaculture and Environmental Management at NMIT take me?
- What is the cost of studying at NMIT?
- Want to know what it is like studying Aquaculture and Environmental Management at NMIT?
- Tours and Further Information
What is Aquaculture and Environmental Management?
Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms including fish, molluscs, crustaceans and aquatic plants and involves the design, construction and operation of freshwater and marine systems for breeding, hatching, growing, processing, packaging and marketing.
Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing primary industries in Australia and overseas, with the Australian industry expanding from a total value of $136 million in 1988-1989 to just under $730 million in 2006, giving an average growth of about 10 to 15% each year. The upward trend in growth is likely to continue as wild fisheries are further depleted. At last count aquaculture contributed around 40% of the overall value of Australian fisheries, a figure that is also expected to increase based on the expansion and further development of the aquaculture industry.
The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation has predicted that by 2030 aquaculture will dominate the provision of fish supplies and less than half of the fish consumed will come from the capture of wild fish. As the aquaculture industry expands, so too will the need for suitably qualified people to staff various positions.
Why study the Bachelor of Aquaculture and Environmental Management course at NMIT?
NMIT has provided education and training to the aquaculture industry since 1997. In that time the aquaculture industry around Australia, and the world, has grown and NMIT's commitment to the industry has grown with it. This long term commitment to quality training has led to NMIT developing an aquaculture degree course that is of equivalent standard to that of universities. The key difference, however, is that NMIT’s course has a very strong vocational focus to support the solid theoretical foundations of the course, and therefore all elements are supported by practical applications.
The promotion of sustainable aquaculture development is a central aim of this program, and several subjects in the course, including Aquatic Environmental Management, Aquatic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Aquatic Ecology and Aquatic Science, and Applied Algology and Zooplankton, provide comprehensive education in this crucial area.
This innovative and fascinating multi-disciplinary course provides students with training in 24 subjects that will lead to a comprehensive knowledge of the aquaculture industry and related fields. The various streams of the program including aquatic biology, aquatic animal culture, aquatic animal reproduction, microbiology and histology of aquatic animals, aquatic animal health, seafood processing and food safety management, aquaculture engineering, business management and marketing and applied research amongst others. The course places an emphasis on integrating theory and practice and learning in commercial-scale aquaculture facilities.
What facilites does NMIT offer?
NMIT has established the Aquaculture Training and Applied Research Centre, a commercial-scale facility that features indoor recirculating aquaculture systems. Both freshwater and saltwater (marine) animals are maintained within the facility. Earthen pond systems are also available at various NMIT campuses and properties.
Algology and zooplankton culture facilities have been developed as part of a Live Feeds Laboratory, and Microbiology and Histology Laboratories will enhance the program’s training and research capabilities further.
The Primary Industries Production Training Centre features a specialist seafood processing facility that allows students to learn about all aspects of preparing aquatic products for various markets, including their processing, freezing, and packaging.
NMIT has solid linkages with the aquaculture industry, and field trips and excursions are regularly conducted to external commercial enterprises to give students enhanced knowledge of the industry.
Take a look at some of the facilities in the Aquaculture Gallery to get an idea of what some of the facilities consist of.
Where will studying aquaculture at NMIT take me?
Graduates of NMIT’s various aquaculture courses have gone on to find employment in a variety of aquaculture industry sectors (typical examples include trout farms, native fish or crustacean establishments, abalone farms and ornamental fish enterprises) at a variety of levels (from farm hand to managerial level), or go on to develop their own commercial aquaculture enterprises, or may find work in the environmental sector. In addition, students will be well placed to embark on further studies, including postgraduate research (Honours, Masters and PhD) upon successful completion of the degree course with sufficient academic grades.
NMIT is regularly approached by contacts in the Victorian, national and international aquaculture industry looking to obtain suitably qualified graduates of our courses. NMIT also develops and maintains links with overseas educational institutions in an effort to promote student and teacher exchange programs. Read about our latest visit by an aquaculture expert from Canada published in Austasia Aquaculture. (Aquaculture in Canada lessons for Australia - PDF)
What is the cost of studying at NMIT?
Students can enrol in NMIT's bachelor courses for three years full-time, or have the option of enrolling part-time. The degree programs are fee for service and costs A$12,000 a year, however all courses have the option of FEE-HELP for eligible students. No additional fees are charged beyond the tuition fees for the compulsory components of any higher education courses.
The tuition fees are calculated based on full-time study. Part-time fees are $1500 per subject, and annual fees will vary depending on the number of subjects chosen. Part-time study is only available to domestic students.
Want to know what it is like studying aquaculture at NMIT?
Read the account of Daniel Svozil who was initially discouraged from studying aquaculture as a school leaver or visit the Aquaculture photo Gallery
Tours and Further Information
If you would like a no-obligation tour of aquaculture facilities at NMIT prior to enrolling, or would like further information on the course, please contact Dr. Saleh Mobin (Head of the Aquaculture Program) on (03) 9269 1166 or email salehm-aas@nmit.vic.edu.au or Andrew Christie (Lecturer) on (03) 9269 1130 or email andrewch-aas@nmit.vic.edu.au, or check NMIT’s website for details of information sessions.
Meet the staff
- Dr Saleh M.A. Mobin - Head of Program/Senior Lecturer
- Andrew Christie - Associate Lecturer
