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AQUACULTURE CURRICULUM

1. Course Title: Introduction to aquaculture

Contact hours: 3 hours/week theory(3 weeks). Field Visists to aquaculture farms Assessment Method: Assessment based on one written examination (3hr paper, 100 marks) and assessment of ALL practical work (100 marks). Depends on NQA requirements for Certificate program. Course Describtion: The defination and history of aquaculture is given. Types of aquaculture systems and global aquaculture production statistics is provided as well as a range of cultivable aquaculture species. Site selection for aquaculture practices and impact of aquaculture systems on the environment and regulations governing aquaculture practices (exotic spp and spread of diseases) are discussed. Environmental factors affecting aquaculture productivity: water quality, soil types, aquatic macrophytes are explored. Basic iformation on pond designs and stocking, broodstock management and larval rearing is given. Aquaculture development in Namibia will also be discussed. Expected Output: Upon completing the course the student is expected to understand what aquaculture is and its applications to both aquatic fauna and flora and know the history of aquaculture. He/she should be able to distinguish between intensive, extensive and semi-intensive aquaculture systems and know the different aquaculture candidate species as well as appraise and recognize the approaches to water re-use in an aquaculture system Material & Inputs Needed: Stationary for course development, textbooks and digital equipment. Laboratory, Fish holding aquarium, dissecting equipment, microscopes

2. Course Title: Biology of aquaculture species

Contact hours: Theory 36 hrs (3hrs/week, 12 weeks); Practical 36 hrs (1 x 3hrs/week, 12 weeks) Assessment Method: Assessment based on one written examination (3hr paper, 100 marks) and assessment of ALL practical work (100 marks). Depends on NQA requirements for Certificate program.

Course Describtion: The course gives an overview of the Nambian aquaculture important species biology, morphology and aquaculture concepts. Topics include morphology, respiration, blood circulation, digestive system, reproductive system and development, central nervious system and genetics. Expected Output: On completing the course the student should be able to discribe the internal anatomy of the fish and relate each organ to the function they perform. He/she should critically analyse the survival strategies used by the fish in its natural environment. The student should be able to apply the principles of fish physiology in the management of an aquaculture interprise. Material & Inputs Needed: Stationary for course development, textbooks and digital equipment. Laboratory, Fish holding aquarium, dissecting equipment, microscopes, water quality measurement instruments, tanks, pipes, fitting (plumbing ware).

3. Course Title: Aquaculture Methods and Practices

Contact Hours: Theory 36 hrs (3hrs/week, 12 weeks) Practical 36 hrs (1 x 3hrs/week, 12 weeks) Assessment: Assessment based on one written examination (3hr paper, 100 marks) and assessment of ALL practical work (100 marks). Depends on NQA requirements for Certificate program. Course Description: Topics to be covered include: Principles, advantages and disadvantages of intensive and extensive aquaculture practices. Basic concepts in system design, types of aquaculture practices i.e. recirculation, flow thru, and semi flow thru systems. System types in intensive and extensive systems i.e. tanks, raceways, ponds, hapas and cages. Introduction to system design, system requirements and system management. Concepts in physical construction and maintenance of aquaculture systems. Introduction to integrated aquaculture Expected Outcomes: Upon completion, students should be able to identify best possible aquaculture practice based on available resources such water and land, the intended demand and supply of fish products and type/spp to be farmed. Students should be able to identify system components required for a specific system and show ability to construct and maintain a system. Materials & Inputs Needed:

Stationary for course development and technical drawings, textbooks and digital equipment. Tools, equipment and sundries (piping, fittings, valves etc.) to be used for practical demonstrations during general farm duties.

4. Course Title: The Aquatic Environment for Aquaculture

Contact Hours: Theory 36 hrs (3hrs/week, 12 weeks); Practical 72 hrs (2 x 3hrs/week, 12 weeks) Assessment: Assessment based on one written examination (3hr paper, 100 marks) and assessment of ALL practical work (100 marks). Depends on NQA requirements for Certificate. Course Description: Topics to be covered include: Basic principles of water pH, Nitrogen cycle, Sulphur. Phosphorus, interactions between temperature, dissolved oxygen and ammonia toxicity, aquatic vegetation and water quality, pond fertilization, site selection and soil quality. Local and global low cost practices to manage water quality. General attributes of water from boreholes, rivers, streams, fountains and reservoirs. Mechanical and biological filter systems. Expected Outcomes: Upon completion, students should be able to sample water for basic water quality analyses and decide on appropriate strategies to manage critical water quality parameters. Students should have a sound understanding of interactions between dissolved oxygen, temperature and ammonia toxicity as well importance of well managed vegetation and natural production in ponds (fertilization and herbicides). Materials & Inputs Needed: Stationary for course development, textbooks and digital equipment. Laboratory space for storage of electronic handheld instruments and chemicals as well as for the analyses of various water samples. Electronic handheld devises to include, pH meter, temperature and O2 meter, portable field spectrophotometer for ammonia, nitrate and nitrite analyses.

5. Course Title: Broodstock and Hatchery Management

Contact hours: 3 hours/week theory ; 2 x 3 hours/week practicals Assessment Methods: Assessment based on one written examination (3hr paper, 100 marks) and assessment of ALL practical work (100 marks). Depends on NQA requirements for Certificate program

Course Description: The course introduces students to a range of brooodstock maintenance and reproductive techniques with the objective of supporting aquaculture production. Subjects include: Broodstock management and conditioning, hatchery design, water quality management. Selection breeding and monosex fish production. Live feed production. Hygiene requirements and biosecurity in the hatchery. Expected output: Upon completing the course students should be able to feed and maintain broodstock. The student should also be able to discuss a range reproductive techniques that can be managed in a hatchery for a range of aquaculture species. Other competency is the ability to develop a plan for the management of a hatchery of a particular species. The stduent is equipped to Artificially propagate and spawn fish under captive condition and also culture and maintain life-feed for the developing larvae Material & Inputs Needed: Stationary for course development, textbooks and digital equipment. RAS system, filters & uv sterilizers, incubation facility, live-feed production system, oxygen supply.

6. Course Title: Harvesting, handling and transportation of aquaculture produce

Contact hours: 3 hours/week theory ; Farm duties Assessment Method: Assessment based on one written examination (3hr paper, 100 marks) and assessment of ALL practical work (100 marks). Depends on NQA requirements for Certificate program Course Description: The course introduces student to the handling, processing, and marketing of fish products that are essential complementary functions of all food production systems. Other aspects of fish handling such as grading will also be discussed. Local legislation regarding movement and marketing of aquaculture produce (food safety and biosecurity). Expected Output: Upon completing the course student should be able to develop a protocol for live fish transportation, discuss fish harvesting in ponds, tanks, cages and raceways. The student will better appreciate the effect of fish handling on its market value and understand the different processing methods of aquaculture products He/she will know the importance of quality control in fish processing Material & Inputs Needed:

Stationary for course development, textbooks and digital equipment. fish processing and quality control facility.

7. Course Title: Aquaculture economics, financials and farm management aspects

Contact hours: 36 hours theory ; 2 x 3 hours/week practicals Assessment Method: Assessment based on one written examination (3hr paper, 100 marks) and assessment of ALL practical work (100 marks). Depends on NQA requirements for Certificate program. Course Description: The module introduces the student to business structures and operations. Topics such as practical aquaculture business management, customer relations, staff management, principles of financial management and accounting are covered. Developing business plans, investment risk, cost-volume-profit analysis and investment decision making are considered along with the fundamentals of financial management. The basic concepts of project management will be introduced and will cover planning and writing a bankable project proposal. Topics such as farm management, inventory and equipment management, record keeping will be covered. Expected Output: Upon completing the course the student should be able to develop a amrketing plan for aquaculture project. He/she will be able to describe the supply and demand characteristics relevant to the aquaculture enterprises. The student will be able to prepare cost benefit descriptions and simple schedules of capital and operating costs of aquaculture enterprises. He will be in a position to understand key indicators of financial performance including investment, payback, NPV and IRR. He/she can write a bankable aquaculture business plan Inputs & Inputs Needed: Stationary for course development, textbooks and digital equipment. computers & software, calculators

8. Course Title:

Fish Nutrition

Contact Hours: Theory 36 hrs (3hrs/week, 12 weeks) Practical 36 hrs (1 x 3hrs/week, 12 weeks) Assessment: Assessment based on one written examination (3hr paper, 100 marks) and assessment of ALL practical work (100 marks). Depends on NQA requirements for Certificate program. Course Description: Topics to be covered include: Introduction to protein, carbohydrates, fats and vitamins/minerals. Concepts and importance of micro-essential nutrients. Energy and energy demands.

Introduction to types and sources of protein, carbohydrates and fats, feed formulation, manufacturing and storing (methods and practices). Importance of a nutritionally complete diet. Protein Sparing Effect and least cost production. Concepts and importance of various types of diets for different fish types i.e. floating vs. sinking diets, complete vs. supplement. Testing feed stability, feed performance and measuring fish growth. FCR, PER, Growth rate indices. Concepts in feeding strategies and regimes for optimal feed use and fish growth. Expected Outcomes: Upon completion, students should have a sound understanding of the importance of a nutritionally complete/supplementary diet. Students should be able to compare and distinguish between different ingredient types and sources as well as to have the ability to formulate and manufacture a basic feed. Students should also be able to identify best feeding practice for a specific fish spp based on type of feeding and feeding habits. Materials & Inputs Needed: Stationary for course development, practical work, textbooks and digital equipment. Equipment needed includes feed processors, basic extruder (mincer with dyes), fridge and a drying oven, electronic scale and general utensils i.e. mixing and processing equipment.

9. Course Title:

Aquatic Animal Health

Contact Hours: Theory 9 hrs (3hrs/week, 3 weeks)Practical 36 hrs (1 x 3hrs/week, 12 weeks) Assessment: Assessment based on one written examination (3hr paper, 100 marks) and assessment of ALL practical work (100 marks). Depends on NQA requirements for Certificate program. Course Description: Topics to be covered include: Types of diseases e.g. Viral, bacterial and fungal. Concepts in vectors, communicable, infectious and non-infectious diseases and parasites. Primary and secondary infections. Pathological symptoms of viral, bacterial and fungal disease. Disease prevention, treatment and prophylactics. Expected Outcomes: Upon completion, students should be able to distinguish between viral, bacterial and fungal diseases. Students should be able to establish the cause of a disease outbreak and provide diagnostics and course of treatment. Students should be able to identify fish infecting parasites and treatment thereof. Materials & Inputs Needed: Stationary for course development, practical work, textbooks and digital equipment. Laboratory equipment needed includes fish holding aquaria, containers for storage and

preservation of samples. Microscopes, dissecting kits, dissecting boards and preservatives (chemicals).

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