HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN AQUACULTURE AND AQUATIC RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

Aquaculture is defined as the production of aquatic plants and animals for human consumption. Under the pressure of the increasing world population on the one side and the stagnating or even declining fishery landings on the other side, aquaculture is considered as the only option to respond to the growing demand for healthy and sustainable seafood. Therefore, aquaculture expanded from an artisanal, extensive mode of production of aquatic organisms to a rapidly evolving bio-industry. The commercial aquaculture is a relatively young, diverse and dynamic industry with growth figures exceeding any other traditional primary production sector.

Asia contributes over 90% of global aquaculture production and plays a key role in the development of aquatic culture systems and technologies. Further development of aquaculture is also expected to help us move away from dependence on overexploited capture fisheries resources and to enhance and conserve aquatic habitats and biodiversity, but this expansion should not exceed the carrying capacity of water resources. Especially developing countries like Sri Lanka have a high potential for a fast development of aquaculture, which enables us to support food-protein requirements and to gain foreign currency by exporting high priced seafood and ornamental fish species. Wild aquatic resources are essential sources of nutrition for rural populations. Any degradation of these resources from over-fishing, use of illegal fishing gears, the introduction of exotic fish, misuse of chemicals, agro-industrial waste discharge, deforestation, breeding ground degradation and dam construction that can lead to blocking of migratory pathways will have dramatic impacts on the nutritional and health status of rural people.

Modern aquaculture is a strongly research-driven bio-industry requiring constant innovation and highly skilled entrepreneurs. On the other hand, it is also a very diverse discipline with a wide range of involved species (fish, aquatic plants, molluscans, crustaceans,), climates, environments (freshwater, brackish water, and marine), and exploitation modes (developing versus developed economies; subsistence versus business aquaculture). It is accepted that the lack of well-trained specialists may be the bottleneck for further expansion of aquaculture.

The Higher National Diploma in Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources Management, established at University College of Anuradhapura in 2014 is a three and half years program oriented towards the skills required by the industry at middle management levels in Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources Management. This is a constantly actualized program that balances a broad multidisciplinary approach with an in-depth research and field based industry oriented training. It prepares its students for fulfilling leading roles in middle management levels in aquaculture businesses.