Fish Farming

This is where Fr. Jack was between 87-90

Higher Education Fishery Studies Courses
BSc (Hons) in Aquaculture and Fishery Management

The programme is validated by the University of Portsmouth

Course Facts:
UCAS Course Code D480
Institution Code S34

Course Tutors:
A C Love
D E Hide BSc (Hons), MSc
P J E Haughton BSc (Hons), MSc

Course Aims:

The programme has been designed to meet the increasing demands of the aquaculture and fresh water fishery management industries for employees educated to degree level. These industries and support services require technologists and managers with the necessary applied scientific knowledge, managerial skills and ability for independent thought and analysis. Graduates also regularly progress to higher-level study, particularly MSc and PhD.

Course Programme:

This three-year course combines a balance of scientific, managerial and practical skills that are developed from an introductory level in year 1 to independent research and application in year 3. Subjects studied include: water quality; fish anatomy and physiology; fishery management and ecology; aquaculture; fish health and nutrition; business and environmental management. Integrated within the course are extensive periods of practical/industrial work experience.

Recent placements have included carp fisheries in the South of France, a salmon farm in Tasmania, a goldfish farm in the United States, research into ornamental fish welfare in the Philippines (holiday for Fr.Jack) , the Coral Key Foundation in Fiji, bass and bream farms in the Mediterranean (another holiday for Fr. Jack) and research for the Natal Shark Board, South Africa! Closer to home the college has an extensive database of potential placements within the UK including public aquaria, coarse and game fisheries, government fishery laboratories and numerous fish farms. During the third year of the course, close links with the industry enable the funding of a study tour visiting fishery and aquaculture operations in Northern Spain.
Student Profile / Case Study

Steve Burley

Qualifications Gained at Sparsholt College:
National Diploma Aquatic’s & Ornamentals 1997-1999
Batchelor of Science (Hons) Degree Aquaculture & Fisheries Management 1999-2002

In my mid 30’s I had a moment of madness and decided to attend Sparsholt College for a full time two year aquatics course. It was one of the best decisions I have made in my life so far!

I absorbed and learnt everything that was thrown at me over those two years but it also made me realise that I could learn a lot more and expand my horizons further by taking the higher education route.

I then enrolled on the H.N.D. Aquaculture & Fisheries Management 2 year full time course, at the end of the first year and with good grades I was invited onto the B.Sc. (Hons) Degree course which was another two years. Before I new it 5 years had passed and I had gained both qualifications and also gained many new friends for life.

At the end of my degree course I was honoured to be asked if I would like to become a part time lecturer at the college teaching specialist subjects to the game keeper students such as fishery creation/management and freshwater ecosystems. At the same time I had decided to start up Burley Aquatic Developments as a free-lance consultant and contractor.

I spent two great years as part of the Sparsholt lecturing team whilst building my business; I had gained so much from Sparsholt myself that I felt I was somehow giving something back by teaching students about my passion in life, the aquatic environment.

Chris Bell

“I still remember my ‘moment of clarity’ well. I was in a traffic jam on my way to work. As a lifelong angler, and general ‘outdoors’ person, I wondered how I had managed to end up working in a large office dealing with Accounts and Insurance. Then aged 26, my mind wandered back to when I had visited Sparsholt for an open day after leaving school at 16. Where would I have been now if I had chosen a different career path? My resignation letter almost began writing itself!

“A few months later, having enrolled on the HND Fisheries Management and Aquaculture course I found myself sitting in my first lecture for nearly eight years. My initial concerns were that I wouldn’t be up to scratch and that I would be the oldest person in the College, let alone my class! I needn’t have worried. By putting in extra effort, I was actually keeping pace with the learning requirements of the course. I also found that although some of my course mates were younger many were older. One thing struck me in particular. We all had a common interest. Bonds and friendships formed, several of which remain strong today.

“At the end of the first year on the HND, I was pleased to hear that my grades had been good enough to transfer to the BSc. I grabbed the chance. In June 2003, aged 29, I graduated from Sparsholt with a 2:1 degree. Happy days!

“At College, I found myself exposed to an extremely high standard of teaching from superb lecturers. Great facilities, combined with a syllabus that covered a useful blend of practical and academic subjects, meant that I’d gained a qualification that was already well regarded in aquaculture and the environmental organisations.

“It was a direct result of one of my work placements that I find myself in my current job as a Fisheries Officer in the Cotswolds with the Environment Agency. Having been in the post for nearly 3 years, I can honestly say that I’m very happy with my new career. I also shudder when I think where I might still be if my ‘moment of clarity’ had never occurred”.
Anthony Watkins

Ant Watkins graduated from Sparsholt College in Hampshire with a Higher National Diploma in Fishery Studies & Fishery Management (this course has now been superseded by the Foundation Degree).

He went on to work as an aquatic ecologist for the environmental consultancy division of Jacobs Babtie at their Fawley laboratory, near Southampton. Ant is also a keen angler and here shows off a 19 lb pike from the River Avon.