The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Science was established at Wallaga University, Shambu Campus, within the Faculty of Agriculture in 2009 E.C. It is among the newest departments in the faculty as well as in the university. The program is specifically designed to alleviate the existing problems in terms of scarcity of skilled manpower in the areas of fisheries development and management, fish handling and processing, aquaculture development, wetland management, limnology and water quality assessments, management of pollutants and invasive weeds, lakeshore development and management, entrepreneurship and business management skills.

Vision

The vision of the Department is to become a full-fledged Center of Excellence in the field of Fisheries and Aquatic Science that would put the University to be one of the top African Universities in Agriculture with World Wide recognitions.

Mission

The mission of the department is to producing skilled manpower in the field of Fisheries and Aquatic Science and conduct problem solver research in the demand-driven area.

Objectives of the program

The objective of this program is to contribute to the human capacity development for optimum utilization of Fisheries and Aquatic resources through sustainable utilization, conservation and management.

 Professional profile

A professional in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences is expected to work as:

• Researchers on fisheries, aquaculture, aquatic and wetland sciences

• Assistants on fisheries, aquaculture aquatic and wetland sciences at universities, colleges and scientific institutions

• Consults in fisheries and aquatic resources management in developing policies
• Experts on fish stick assessment, harvesting, processing and handling technologies
• Practitioners on aquaculture production systems, fish feed and breeding technologies
• Experts in environment, wetlands and water quality management
• Entrepreneurs in aquaculture, fisheries, Aquatic and wetland resources

Program profile

The department provides a comprehensive four-year Bachelor's degree program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. This program is designed to equip students with a robust understanding of aquatic ecosystems and fisheries management. It encompasses a total of 259 ECTS and 149 credit hours, which reflects the workload and learning outcomes expected from students throughout their studies. Besides, the program includes 57 courses. These courses cover various aspects of fisheries science, aquatic biology, and environmental management, preparing graduates for successful careers in this vital field