in Aquaculture Foundations
This foundational program expands on Fleming’s established expertise in Aquaculture education and training. Delivered primarily online, the program provides training in fish biology, aquaculture techniques and fish husbandry, and includes a unique focus on Indigenous studies and practices within the industry. You will put theory into practice with hands-on training in our on-campus fish hatchery or a work placement with an industry employer
Program Information
Start Date
September 05, 2023
Domestic Availability
Accepting Applications
International Availability
Accepting Applications
Program Code
AQF
Delivery
Online, Placement
Credential
Ontario College Certificate
Academic School
Location
Program Contact
View Curriculum
September 03, 2024
Domestic Availability
Accepting Applications
International Availability
Accepting Applications
Program Code
AQF
Delivery
Online, Placement
Credential
Ontario College Certificate
Academic School
Location
Program Contact
View Curriculum
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Aquaculture Foundations is a is a college certificate that focuses on:
- Fish biology – anatomy and function, stress, disease recognition and control
- Aquaculture techniques – maintenance of infrastructure, water and oxygen monitoring, basic calculations
- Fish husbandry – feeding and breeding
- Safety and environmental considerations
The program includes an Introduction to Indigenous Environmental Studies course. As well, Indigenous practices and approaches to Aquaculture are embedded across the curriculum.
Learn from anywhere! Most of the program will be delivered online with a culminating 90-hour work placement component. Your hands-on training will take place in a compressed format in our hatchery or a workplace of your choice.
Students taking this program will benefit from Fleming’s expertise in the field. In addition to our renowned Aquaculture Co-op Graduate Certificate program, we recently launched a Centre for Innovative Aquaculture Production. We have strong industry and employer connections, expert faculty, and best-in-class on-campus facilities including our hatchery. The accessible delivery format, work placement, and the inclusion of Indigenous practices makes it unique in Ontario.
This program provides you with applied learning opportunities to ensure you have the skills to succeed in your career. You will get hands-on training through a culminating work placement – either in our fish hatchery or a workplace of your choice – which immerses you in a real-world environment.
The Indigenous Perspectives Designation (IPD) is available to students in the Aquaculture Foundations program. Upon meeting all requirements of the IPD, the student’s transcript will indicate the designation. Upon graduation, students with an IPD will have a strong foundational basis in Indigenous Studies, and a designation that is in-demand in the employment sector.
Aquaculture is a growing field that is facing labour shortages. Employers include public or private fish hatcheries or commercial farms. Positions within the industry include:
- Aquaculture Support Worker
- Fish Farm Helper
- Fish Tagger
- Fry Marker
- Sea Farm Attendant
Main duties would include:
- Assisting Aquaculture Technicians in the operation of fish hatcheries or other aquatic farms
- Feeding and vaccinating stocks, performing culling and marking or banding, and monitoring and reporting on stocks
- Operation and maintenance of aquaculture equipment
- Grading and weighing aquaculture stocks
- Preparing aquaculture stocks for market
- Operation of boats or other equipment needed for aquaculture operations
Average industry salaries = up to $22 per hour.
The Indigenous Perspectives Designation (IPD) is an option available to students studying in the Community and Justice Services program. To qualify for the IPD, students must take and successfully complete GNED49 - Introduction to Indigenous Studies and GNED128 - Indigenous Knowledges, along with a minimum of four approved co-curricular Indigenous events or experiences that will be incorporated into the final portfolio assignment in GNED128. The student’s transcript will indicate the IPD designation. Upon graduation, students with an IPD will have a strong foundational basis in Indigenous Studies, and a designation that will be marketable in the employment sector.
Students applying to Aquaculture Foundations must meet the following requirements:
- OSSD (or equivalent mature student status OSSD)
- Evaluate biological factors and report on unusual fish behaviour to assist the identification of fish health and welfare concerns.
- Identify, test, and inspect aquaculture components and systems to maintain industry standards, such as water quality.
- Contribute to the collecting and processing of daily water quality and fish husbandry data to monitor fish health, welfare, and growth.
- Perform work responsibilities in accordance to applicable provincial and federal safety and environmental regulations and company policies to ensure health and safety of fish and humans.
- Conduct basic math calculations, such as feed conversions, mortality rates, flow rates, growth rates, to assess facility operations, fish health, and fish growth.
- Apply common fish handling techniques to optimize fish health and maximize growth of various species approved to be raised in Canada.
- Identify and integrate historical and contemporary Indigenous and non-Indigenous views and practices to meet the needs of non-Indigenous and Indigenous participants in aquaculture.
