Master of Fisheries science (M F Sc) is a postgraduate program in the Fishery science field. It is also known as Master of Science in Fishery (M Sc (Fishery)).  The duration of the M F Sc program is two year that is spread over four semesters. The course deals with the study of administration and catching, processing and marketing and conservation of Fish and related products. The M F Sc program can be considered as the interdisciplinary field related to the areas of Management, Economics, Oceanography and Biology etc.

Advantages or Benefits of Doing Master of Fisheries Science

M F Sc is a door for pursuing a degree in the foreign universities and thus building a career abroad

After the M F Sc program the qualified candidates can do the research activities in the Fishery Industry which is one of the growing career sectors in the present time.

Eligibility Criteria for M F Sc program

A candidate having aggregate of 60% marks in the bachelor’s examination either in the fishery science or in zoology discipline can apply for the M F Sc program. Only the qualified candidates in the entrance test are eligible for taking the M F Sc degree. The age limit for the program is put to be 20-25.

Admission Procedure for M F Sc program

Normally the admission process for the M F Sc course will depend on the entrance exam conducted by the institute or the University. The interested candidates for the program can take the test and the qualified candidates of such competitive exams can take the admission into the program. The students can get the application form from the admission centre of the exam conducting body by direct cash payment or by post. Most of the universities are offering the online registration for the entrance exam. The candidates can visit the website of the institute/university for registering through online.

Entrance exams in India

• Indian Council for Agricultural Research combined entrance test
• Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology Common Entrance Examination
• Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth Commom Admission Test
• Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS) PhD Entrance Exam
• Karnataka Common Entrance Test
• Junagath Agricultural University Entrance Test
• Kerala Agricultural University Common Entrance Test
• Maharana Pratap University Pre Post graduate Test

How to fill in M F Sc Entrance Application form?

The candidates need to fill the form very cautiously by following the instructions. They can fill the form by using a pen/pencil as suggested in the brochure. The form should be filled in Capital letters. The information given should be correct and applicable in any situation. Any error or incomplete data will cause rejection of the application. The filled in application should be send to the address given and the form should be submitted before the deadline.

M F SC Entrance Exam Pattern

The exam paper will differ according to the different entrance examination. Normally the entrance test consists of 180-200 objective type questions which have to be attempted in180-200 minutes. The syllabus of the M F Sc entrance exam follows that of the bachelor’s level curriculum. Negative marking in the exams depend on the institute carrying out the exam.

Coaching Centers for M F Sc Entrance Exam

• Aakash Institute
• Brilliant Tutorials Pvt. Ltd.
• Oasis Education Services
• Narayana IIT Academy
• J.R.S. Tutorial
• DAMS
• Sahil Study Circle
• Allen Career Institute
• CareerPoint
• Aakashdeep Academy
• Newton Academy
• Arihant coaching classes
• Plab Coaching Classes

Reference Books for M F Sc Entrance Exam

• A Text Book of Aquaculture by M. Srinivasulu Reddy and K.R.S. Sambasiva Rao
• Aquaculture Engineering by Odd-Ivar Lekang
• Coastal Aquaculture Engineering by N. Bose , S. N. Ghosh , Chih Ted Yang and A. Mitra
• Tropical Mariculture by Sena S. De Silva
• Agricultural Microbiology by Rangaswami & Bagyaraj
• Aquaculture Technology and Environment by Jadhav
• Bioinformatics: A Modern Approach by Srinivas
• Bioinformatics Methods and Applications: Genomics, Proteomics and Drug
• Discovery by Rastogi
• Biotechnology for Waste and Wastewater Treatment by Cheremisinoff
• Concepts of Ecology by Kormondy
• Downstream Process Technology: A New Horizon in Biotechnology by Krishna Prasad
• Fundamentals of Bioanalytical Techniques and Instrumentation by Ghosal and Srivastava
• Fundamentals of Cytogenetics and Genetics by Mahabal Ram
• Into the Cool Energy Flow, Thermodynamics, and Life by Schneider & Sagan
• Introduction to Biostatistics and Research Methods by Sundar Rao & Richard
• Introduction to Environmental Biotechnology by Chatterji
• Techniques and Methods in Biology by Ghatak
• Textbook of Agricultural Biotechnology by Naga
• Mismanagement of Marine Fisheries by Alan Longhurst
• The Variety of Life: A survey and a celebration of all the creatures that have ever lived by Colin Tudge
• A Textbook of Algae by A.V.S.S. Sambamurty

Master of Fisheries Science Colleges in India

• Central Institute of Fisheries Education,  Mumbai
• College of Fisheries, Ganjam
• Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli
• Ganga Kaveri Institute of Science & Management, Bangalore
• Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana
• Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh
• Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, Panangad
• Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur
• West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Kolkata
• Maharana Pratap University of Agricultural and Technology (MPUAT), Udaipur
• Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Srinagar
• Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai

M F Sc course curriculum

The curriculum of the M F Sc program is divided into 4 semesters. It include the Core subjects with minimum  12-13 credits, optional subjects with another 12 credits and supporting courses with 10 credits. The universities can change this pattern according to the university objectives and domestic circumstances. The classroom discussion and seminars cover the major part of the theory paper. There will be Practical paper for each subject and at the end of the program the candidates should take a research work on the selected topics in the specialization field. In a nutshell, the course curriculum of the program is designed to carry out the broad research work in Scientific breeding and Management of Fisheries. The specialization subjects offered to the M.F.Sc candidates in India are,

• Aquaculture
• Biostatistics and Informatics
• Fisheries Biology
• Fisheries Biotechnology
• Fisheries Environment
• Fish Processing Technology
• Post-harvest technology
• Fish Engineering

M F Sc Course Evaluation

The M F Sc course evaluation is done on the basis of the examination conduced at the end of each semester. There will be examination for the theory as well as the practical papers. The candidates will have a viva paper for the research work where the thesis work is evaluated by the designated people from the university level. The candidates are also evaluated on the basis of their perforce in the class discussion, assignments given by the respective faculties and on the small project work taken by the candidates during eth course time. The attendance is also yet another evaluation criterion in this program.

M F Sc Text Books

• Aquacture- The farming and husbandry of freshwater and marine organisms by Bardach, J. E., Ryther, J. H. and Larney
• A Treatise on Limnology by Hutchinson
• Limnology by Robert
• Freshwater Fisheries Management by Templeton
• Species identification sheets for fisheries purpose FAO by Fisher W and White
• Mannuals and methods in fisheries biology fascicles by Laevastu, T
• Ichthyology by Lagler, K. F,  Bardach, J. E. and Miller
• Marine Fisheries Research and Management by Pillai, V. N. and N. G. Menon
• Life cycles, dynamics, exploitation and management of coastal shrimp stocks FAO Fish By Garcia, S. and L. Le Reste
• A review of biology and systematic of shrimp and prawns of Japan by Kabo I
• The prawn fishery resources of India FAO Fish by Jones S
• Cephalopods of the world by Roper, C. F. E., Sweeney, M. J. and Nauen
• Fish Stock Assessment A manual of Basic Methods by Gulland, J.A
• Fisheries Biology, Assessment and Management by King M
• Fisheries Ecology by Pitcher, T.J. and Hart, P.J.B
• Introduction to tropical fish stock assessment by Sparre, P. and Venma S.C
• Post harvest technology of fish and fish products by Balachandran K. K
• Fish Processing Technology by Govindan T. K
• Thermal processing and quality of foods by Zeathen P
• The application of remote sensing technology to marine fisheries: An introductory manual by Butter, M.J.A., Mouchot M.C., Barale V. and Le Blanc C
• Modern production and operations management by Buffa, E.S
• Management science / Operations research: Model formulation and solution methods by Buffa, E.S. and Dyer, J.S
• Management and human resource development by Kale, N.G. and Ahmed, M
• The marine environment and sustainable development; law policy and science by Coupes A. and Edgar H
• Rights Based Fishing by Neler, A. P., Ragnar Arneson and Nina Mollett.
• The international law of the sea by O’Connell D. P

What to do after M F Sc?

After the post graduation, the candidates can go for the research field for further studies. They can take the Ph D in Fishery Science, Inland Fisheries Administration etc. Opting for the management degree is also another option for the PG holder. A management degree helps them to join business organizations engaged in Fishery Science. The interested candidates can also start their career soon after the PG program. There are many opportunities for the M F Sc candidates. The public sector as well as the private firms provides job openings for the right candidates. The candidates can work with the banks, educational institutes, fish farms, manufacturing units etc. after their post graduation.

Job and Career options for M F Sc

The increased demand for sea foods and the growth shown by the Fishing industry opens wider employment opportunities for the qualified candidates in the Fishery science. The export of sea products and the utilization of related products in the domestic markets have given tremendous boost to the employment opportunities in this field. The competition across the sector has increased drastically and it offers a higher pay pack for the professionals in the sector. Some of the job opportunities for the M F Sc candidates are,

Employment Areas

• Aquariums
• Fish Disease Diagnostic Centre
• Consultancies
• Fish Farmers Development Agencies
• Feed Manufacturing Units
• Research Institutes
• Ornamental Fish Culture and Breeding Centres
• Fish Farms
• Fish Processing and Marketing Firms
• Feed Sales Department
• Krishi Vigyan Kendras
• Hatchery and Seed Production Companies
• Net Making Units
• Commercial Pearl Production Industry
• International Organisations like FAO, NACA
• Educational Institutes
• Nationalized Banks

Job Types

• Aquaculture Entrepreneur
• Fisheries Extension Officer / Technical Officer
• Fisheries Extension Officer
• Assistant Fisheries Development Officer
• Consultant
• Fish Breeders
• R&D Professional
• District Fisheries Development Officer
• Export Manager
• Marine Biologist / Marine Scientist
• Feed Mill Manager
• Hatchery/ Farm Operator
• Fish Export Inspector
• Aqua Culturist
• Fishermen
• Fisheries Inspector
• Fish Exporters
• Hatchery Manager
• Fish Traders
• Processing and Production Manager

Remuneration after M F Sc

The remuneration for the post graduates in the fishery science depends on the specialization taken for study. The starting salary for the M F Sc candidates in the private sector is expected to be Rs. 10,000/ month. If the candidates choose to be in the public sector, the pay package can differ according to the profile and area of work. Individuals after their research work can earn a lucrative salary in this field but the openings are limited and there is high competition in this field.