Listen, if you’re thinking about the future, you better imagine unseen possibilities. Agriculture is so diverse that you can even farm within water. Seriously. The practice of farming within water is called aquaculture.
An aquaculturist breeds, raises and harvests fish, shellfish and aquatic plants. Aquaculture is able to take place wherever there is a body of water for example, in rivers, lakes, dams, pools and the sea.
Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms, explains Leslie Ter Morshuizen. Morshuizen is an aquaculture consultant and trainer from the Western Cape. He also owns a fish farming company, Fish Farming Innovation.
Speaking to Nicole Ludoph and Bandile Xhosa, the host of Food For Mzansi’s new Agricareers podcast, Morshuizen explains that aquatic organisms includes fish, shellfish, aquatic plants and crustaceans such as plants and shrimps
What do I need to study?
Morshuizen says that you do not have to be a rocket scientist to be a fish farmer as he suffers from dyslexia. However, there arequalifications available which assist in becoming an aquaculturist.
What skills are needed?
Morshuizen says that in order to be in the aquaculture field you need to be disciplined and have a passion for it. Other important skills include being detail orientated, having a good daily routine and being a problem-solver.
What subjects do I need?
Contact each institution for their specific requirements.
Where can I study?
Stellenbosch University
Bachelor of Science in Animal Production with a focus on Aquaculture
