Aquaculture

This higher level qualification will provide you with the practical skills and knowledge to manage the operations of fish farms, marine farms and hatcheries. It is suitable for students that hold a certificate 3 in aquaculture or have substantial aquaculture industry experience.

Gain these skills:

• Developing and implementing a breeding strategy
• Planning ecologically sustainable practices
• Biosecurity
• Managing stock health
• Developing a stock production plan and
• Managing an aquaculture research trial. 

You will also learn skills in planning and designing a water supply and disposal system, and stock culture systems and structures. You will learn the skills necessary to supervise and manage staff.

The environments in which our graduates work include:

• aquaculture farms or fishout/put-and-take operations
• hatcheries and nurseries
• live post-harvest holding facilities, such as processing plants, wholesalers or transporters
• pet shops, public aquaria, zoos or other facilities with aquatic animals

Study in a specialised facility in the maritime heart of Fremantle:

Fremantle campus features extensive salt and freshwater aquaculture facilities, and experienced staff which offers plenty of relevant hands-on opportunities. Our staff have involved students in the culture and applied research projects of many marine and freshwater organisms over the last two decades including species such as abalone, dhufish, yellowtail kingfish, marron and barramundi.

Are you looking to join a school of fish lovers?

This qualification is the crucial first step towards an exciting career in aquaculture. This course provides students with a range of core skills and knowledge relevant to working in the aquaculture industry. Graduates go on to further studies or working in a range on environments including onshore aquaculture facilities, offshore culture facilities and the ornamental fish industry.

Gain the following skills and knowledge:

·Handling and harvesting stock,

·Preparing stock for live transport,

·Monitoring stock and environmental conditions,

·Producing algal cultures, and

·Working effectively in the seafood industry

Aquaculture is a fast-growing industry. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) issued a report in 2018 stating that ‘aquaculture is fastest growing food production sector worldwide’. Typical entry-level jobs for those holding Certi?cate II include:

·Australian and overseas aquaculture farms

·Hatcheries and nurseries   

·Live post-harvest holding facilities, such as processing plants, wholesalers or 

·Transporters, pet shops, public aquaria, zoos or other facilities with aquatic animals 

Study in a specialised facility in the maritime heart of Fremantle: 

Fremantle campus features extensive salt and freshwater aquaculture facilities, and experienced staff.This offers plenty of relevant hands-on opportunities. Our staff have involved students in the culture and applied research projects of many marine and freshwater organisms over the last two decades including species such as abalone, dhufish, yellowtail kingfish, marron and barramundi.

Are you looking to join a school of fish lovers?

This course is ideal for those looking to expand on the skills and knowledge they gained in Certificate II in Aquaculture. It also comes packed with opportunities to upskill with either boating or diving skills. While a solid foundation in aquatic science is essential, the aquaculture sector prefers to hire staff with additional boating and/or diving qualifications.  

South Metropolitan TAFE offers two streams.

· Certificate III in Aquaculture (Vessel Operations)

oIn addition to this qualification you can obtain your grade 1 coxswains.

·Certificate III in Aquaculture (Diving Operations)

o In addition to this qualification, you will get an open water and advanced PADI tickets.

·Certificate III in Aquaculture (Vessel Operations & Diving Operation)

You will gain the following knowledge and skills:

·Care for and maintain fish stocks, culture and holding environments 

·Installing or constructing stock culture or holding structures and other allied structures

·Assessing and controlling biosecurity and stock health and treating aquatic stock for diseases

·Monitoring and maintaining water quality

·Co-ordinating feeding activities, handling and harvesting operations for aquatic stock

·Operating high technology water treatment components

·Implementing emergency procedures, occupational health and safety policies and guidelines

The Fremantle campus features a working aquaculture facility with hatchery tanks and filtration systems and is within convenient walking distance to the fishing industry in Fremantle. The lecturers have a strong relationship with the Australian Centre for Applied Aquaculture Research (ACAAR) in the neighbouring facility.