HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN AQUACULTURE AND AQUATIC RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
NVQ Level 5 & 6
Introduction
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.
GCE (A/L) Science (Bio), Bio Science Technology, Arts with Credit Pass for Soft Technology (Bio Resource Technology)
OR
NVQ Level 04 certificate of Aquaculture Technician (B05S004)
- Full Time – 3 ½ Years
- Foundation (Bridging) Program – 6 months
- NVQ Level 5 (Semester I and II) – 1 year
- On the Job Training (OJT) I – 6 months
- NVQ Level 6 (Semester I and II) – 1 Year
- On the Job Training (OJT) II – 6 months
AARM Graduates could find excellent opportunities for employment in private and government sector, focusing towards sustainable development.
- Assistant Aquaculturist
- Lab Assistant
- Quality Control Officer
- Fish Technician
- Biologist
- Production Supervisor
- Assistant Quality Executive
- Assistant Lab Manager
- Production Executive
- Mr. BDM Mihiran – HOD
- Mrs. DMA Edirisinghe – Lecturer
- Mr. HMSM Wijerathna – Lecturer (Prob)
- Ms. KLG Rumeshani – Demonstrator
- Mr. MBM Sakeer – Lab Assistant
Course Modules in Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources Management




- Semester 1
- Semester 2
- Semester 3
- Semester 4
B05T002M01 | Principles of Aquaculture |
B05T002M02 | Language Skills |
B05T002M03 | Basic Chemistry for Aquaculture |
B05T002M04 | Basic Bio Statistics |
B05T002M05 | Aquaculture Extension |
B05T002M06 | Fish and Crustacean Biology |
B05T002M07 | Occupational Health and Safety Procedures and Practices |
B05T002M08 | Design Aquaculture Systems |
B05T002M09 | Introduction to Culturable Aquatic Species |
B05T002M10 | Information Technology for Aquaculture |
B05T002M11 | Water Quality Management |
EMTM01 | Work Place Information Management |
B05T002M12 | Hatchery Operation |
B05T002M13 | Nurseries & Grow-out Farming |
B05T002M14 | Marine Fin/Shellfish Culture |
B05T002M15 | Freshwater Fish and Prawn Culture |
B05T002M16 | Seaweed and Aquatic Plant Culture |
B05T002M17 | Disease Management |
B05T002M18 | Harvesting Technology |
B05T002M19 | Principles, Operation & Maintenance of Aquaculture Machinery and Equipment |
EMTM02 | Workplace Communication Management |
EMTM03 | Planning and Scheduling Work at Work Place |
B05T002M20 | Ornamental Fish and Plant Culture |
B05T002M21 | Invertebrate Culture |
B05T002M22 | Live Feed Culture |
B05T002M23 | Fish Genetics |
B05T002M24 | Induced Breeding |
B05T002M25 | Nutrition |
B05T002M26 | Post-harvesting and Processing Technology |
B05T002M27 | Pond Engineering |
B05T002M28 | Aquaculture Economics |
B05T002M29 | Scientific Writing |
EMTM04 | Problem Solving and Decision Making |
B05T002M30 | Formulation & Preparation Fish Feeds |
B05T002M31 | Aquatic Pathology and Microbiology |
B05T002M32 | Integrated Farming Systems |
B05T002M33 | Advanced Technology Used in Aquaculture |
B05T002M34 | Fish Biodiversity and Conservation |
B05T002M35 | Marketing and Entrepreneurship Development |
B05T002M36 | Final Project |
B05T002M37 | Mediatory Role of Extension |
EMTM05 | Team Work and Leadership |
EMTM06 | Creating and Maintaining a Learning Culture at Workplace |
Find Staff Members
Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources Management

Mr. B.D.M.Mihiran
Prob. Lecturer (Aquaculture & Aquatic Resources Mgt.)

Ms. D.M.A. Edirisinghe
Lecturer

Mr. H.M.Sarath Mahinda wijerathna
Prob. Lecturer