Aquaculture or fish farming is the controlled cultivation of aquatic animals for various purposes, especially for human consumption. It is similar to agriculture but with fish instead of plants. Fisheries are concerned with fish and shellfish and include the processes of catching, processing, and selling fish.

Water plays a vital role in the ecosystem and wastage of water is becoming a global issue. As a result, maintaining and protecting marine life has become very important and has led to many students opting for a degree in aquaculture and fisheries. A degree in this discipline helps students analyze a variety of aquatic organisms and they are also exposed to a more practical approach by which they can assess the population of fish; control, monitor, and even enhance the aquatic environment. It is a multi-disciplinary approach that also draws from other disciplines like genetics, biotechnology, farming, and fish processing to mention a few. Aquaculture and fisheries degree teaches students how to grow aquatic plants and animals for commercial purposes. It allows students to specialize in developing pharmaceutical products, food safety, and the cultivation and preservation of marine life. Programs in aquaculture and fisheries cover topics such as aquatic animal diversity, genetics of fish, aquaculture systems engineering, and shellfish aquaculture.