From studying the sea to safeguarding its seafood
How Naomi’s passion for aquaculture and fisheries led her into a career shaping the future of sustainable seafood
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A Name: Naomi Smith
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Course: MSc Sustainable Aquaculture and Fisheries
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H Year of graduation: 2024
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Current role: Good Fish Guide Officer at the Marine Conservation Society
One of the things that first drew me to the University of Plymouth was its proximity to the ocean and beaches in Devon and Cornwall. Being based right by the sea really adds to the experience of studying marine-related subjects and helps to bring the theory to life on local fieldtrips.
Why I chose to study at Plymouth
I chose the MSc Sustainable Aquaculture and Fisheries course as a continuation on from my
BSc in Marine Biology
, which I also undertook at the University of Plymouth. During my undergraduate degree, I developed a strong interest in fisheries and their management, and was introduced to aquaculture in my final year modules. After learning about how closely aquaculture and wild capture fisheries are linked, and how farmed production is now equal to wild fisheries, I was keen to explore more of this other side of seafood production.
The course’s strong practical focus was also a major factor in my decision, particularly the opportunity to visit working aquaculture farms and undertake hands-on practicals - covering both wild capture and farmed systems. I felt this would be invaluable in developing applied skills and improving my employment prospects following the completion of the MSc.
Additionally, having already studied at Plymouth, I wanted to stay here because of the good relationships I’d built during my undergraduate degree and placement year, and the opportunity to carry research interests from my BSc into my Master’s.
When I found out that the Sustainable Aquaculture course had been expanded to include fisheries, it felt like the perfect fit. It meant I didn’t have to choose between the two, and could instead explore both aquaculture and fisheries in more depth, bringing together the areas I’m most interested in, and which aligned with my career goals.
Throughout the course, I gained a wide range of academic and practical skills, while also building on knowledge I already had. I developed a much deeper understanding of aquaculture, supported by hands-on experience ranging from fish rearing to seafood preparation. It was genuinely interesting to learn how fish are caught or farmed, how they are processed and packaged, and how those decisions influence the final product.
Putting my knowledge into action
The course helped me appreciate the full journey of seafood, from farm or sea, through to the consumer’s plate. This has been particularly valuable in my current role as a Good Fish Guide Officer at the Marine Conservation Society, where I assess the sustainability of wild seafood based on factors such as stock health, fishery management, and capture methods, as well as farmed seafood, considering feed, environmental impacts, welfare, and management practices.
The MSc course significantly expanded my knowledge of aquaculture systems and farming practices, and how these directly affect sustainability outcomes. This broader, more integrated understanding has been extremely useful in applying sustainability principles across both wild capture and farmed seafood sectors, and has given me confidence in discussing the topics during my job today.
Celebrating my academic success
My proudest achievement on the course was receiving two awards: the DSM-Firmenich Excellence in Sustainable Aquaculture and Fisheries Award for the best overall grade on the programme, and the Lallemand Innovation and Impact in Aquaculture and Fisheries Award for my dissertation.
Receiving these awards was a real honour and helped me recognise that the hard work and commitment I put into the course had paid off. It was also really rewarding to see this recognised externally, and it’s something I’m proud to highlight on my CV as evidence of both my academic ability and dedication to the sectors for prospective employers.
My advice to prospective students
Try and gain experience and understanding in both sides of the course – wild fisheries and aquaculture. Although they are very different systems, they’re closely linked and both play a crucial role in global protein production. Having knowledge of both really helps you see the bigger picture and understand how decisions in one sector can affect the other.
I’d also recommend choosing modules or research projects that sit slightly outside your usual interests. These can really push you out of your comfort zone, build confidence, and often lead you to areas you might not have considered before but end up really enjoying.
Overall, I think the MSc Sustainable Aquaculture and Fisheries course is extremely beneficial for anyone looking to go into either sector. It provides a strong foundation while also covering emerging and innovative topics, which is really valuable when taking your next steps after the degree.
Interested in MSc Sustainable Aquaculture and Fisheries?
Our programme is unique in its ethos and content, based on sound principles adhering to scientific and ethical concepts relating to resource utilisation, animal welfare and human requirements.
You’ll learn about the scale and nature of the global industry through specialised modules and packages.
