MSc Sustainable Aquaculture and Fisheries

University of Plymouth

The aquaculture and fisheries sectors make essential contributions to global food security and nutrition, contributing 175 million tonnes of production valued at over 400 billion. These sectors are intertwined sharing the same environment and frequently interdependent on one another. Ensuring that aquatic farming practices, and wild fish populations, are sustainably managed is essential to support the needs of our growing population and to protect our aquatic ecosystems.Our multidisciplinary approach places emphasis on the sustainable use of aquatic and marine resources for commercial exploitation of food and products. Discover the scientific rationale for improving aquatic animal health and production, reducing environmental impact, and addressing socio-economic factors.Our MSc Sustainable Aquaculture and Fisheries programme provides you with an opportunity to engage with world-leading research, with access to outstanding aquaculture facilities and immersive field trips that will give you the tools to make the most of the global career opportunities in these fields.Named among the top 5% of global universities for our contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we are ranked 4th in relation to SDG 14: Life Below Water, recognising the quality of the University’s marine research and teaching, and 15th in relation to SDG 13: Climate Action, measuring our research on climate change, use of energy and preparations for dealing with the consequences of climate change (Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2022).Ranked top 15 in the UK and top 100 globally for Earth and Marine Sciences in the QS World University Rankings 2023. Gain experience from a range of field trips, including the possibility of a residential field course, typically to Greece or Scotland (or an alternative field course), to restocking hatcheries, farms and other related facilities.Join a rich research community and undertake your research project and technical training with our state-of-the-art facilities including aquaria, wet labs, marine station, nutrition and feed analytical suites and teaching laboratories.Benefit from our strong relationships with government agencies, leaders in industry and Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), advancing your technical and scientific knowledge.Follow the taught programme with an optional 6-12 month industry placement in a zoo or aquarium. Applications for these opportunities are open to students who have achieved a merit or higher within their first semester. This placement provides an opportunity to further develop your expertise in context.Graduate opportunities include various career paths within the aquaculture industry, government organisations, NGOs, research and development and sustainability bodies. Previous graduates have progressed into careers in these fields or PhD programmes in the UK, Europe, Asia and Africa.

School of Biological and Marine Sciences