Permanent Exhibition and School visits
The Malta Centre for Fisheries Sciences uses its collection of live marine organisms on display in a number of aquaria and ponds to increase the appreciation towards marine life in the Mediterranean. School children and adults visiting the exhibition are made aware of many aspects of fish behavior and marine life conservation.
The section directs its effort mainly on the topics related to fisheries and aquaculture which are needed by pupils attending Years 4 and 5 in primary schools. Biology and university students, also visit the centre in order to seek advice and assistance for their projects.
One can book a group visit to the exhibition by contacting the officer in charge on 22293310 (between noon and 13.00) or by sending an email including telephone number to email address.
The exhibition is also open for public viewing on Saturday mornings only (excluding public holidays). Visitors are admitted at 9am, 10am and 11am.
There are currently no fees charged, but donations by cheque made payable to Director General VAFD are most welcome.
Higher National Diploma Course in Fisheries Science
(This course is temporarily not being run)
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This is a multi-disciplinary 2 year course including training in stock assessment, fisheries management, socio-economics, fisheries oceanography, fisheries statistics, law and policy, seamanship and fisheries biology.
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It is run by the MCFS in collaboration with the University of Plymouth and certified by Edexcel Foundation (UK).
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The HND Course is open to all Mediterranean Countries.
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COPEMED has contributed to the financing of the setting up of this course and visiting foreign lecturers.
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Staff from the Fishery Resources Division of FAO have also lectured in this course.
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Organisation of HND course
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This course is organised by the MCFS and it is accredited by Edexcel International (UK).
Edexcel is the international organisation, which carries out external verification so that a high standard of quality will be kept throughout the course.
This is a full time two-year course, held at Fort San Lucian, Marsaxlokk (MALTA).
 Edexcel’s representatives presenting certificate of Approved Centre to the Director General - FCCD |
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The course requires personal work and interaction among participants and with lecturers. The international characteristics of the course favour exchange of experiences and points of view.
Both Maltese and foreign lecturing staff on this course are experts in their field. The diversity of people involved in the lecturing of this course is a guarantee to the total coverage of the majority of fields in this science.
Formal lectures are complemented by practical sessions, field visits, informal tests, reports and presentations from participants. Practical sessions include fishing trips, navigational skills, use of electronic equipment, boat handling, building, maintenance and repair of nets and longlines; etc…
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This two-year Higher National Diploma in Fisheries science for Mediterranean Countries consists of 16 modules, with 8 modules taught each year. Each module consists of a minimum of 60 hours teaching, fieldwork and practical sessions.
As a vocational course there will be no formal examinations and assessment will be based upon coursework, assignments, practical work and presentations. Compared to a purely academic course, this approach will better equip students for the work place. The aim of this HND Course is not to produce scientific experts but students that are qualified to work competently in all fields at middle management level within the Fisheries Department and the Fishing Industry; both local and foreign.
Algae Culture
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The Higher National Diploma in Fisheries Science is designed to:
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Provide an educational foundation for a range of administrative and management careers in the fish industry
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Provide specialised study directly relevant to individual vocations and professions within the fish industry in which students are working or intend to seek employment
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Enable students to make an immediate contribution to employment
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Provide flexibility, knowledge, skills and motivation as a basis for future studies and career development
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Develop students’ ability in fisheries through the effective use and combination of the knowledge and skills gained in the fisheries programme
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Develop a range of skills and techniques, personal qualities and attitudes essential for successful performance in working life
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Develop students’ ability in fisheries through the effective use and combination of the knowledge and skills gained in the Fisheries Programme.
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The course caters for a maximum of 20 students and the official language of the course is English.
Applicants must have ‘O’ Levels in English, Mathematics and Biology and must have two ‘A’ Levels, one of which must be in Sciences, or the equivalent.
Applicants over the age of 25 years may be admitted as mature students after sitting for an interview.
Insurance
It is compulsory for foreign participants to have medical insurance valid for Malta. Proof of insurance cover must be given at the beginning of the course.
Lodging
Although the Centre does not offer lodging, assistance will be given to foreign students if needed.
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Malta Centre for Fisheries Sciences
Fort San Lucjan
Marsaxlokk
Tel. 356 21 655525 / 21 658863
Fax. 356 21 659380
Email:
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Year I
Unit 1: Ocean Science
1.1 Major physical and chemical features of the world’s oceans
1.2 Chemistry of sea water
1.3 The atmosphere and its interactions with the ocean
1.4 Relationships between marine organisms and their surroundings
Unit 2: Fishing Operations & Methods
2.1 Principle fishing methods employed in commercial fisheries
2.2 Materials used in fishing gear and equipment
2.3 Net Design, maintenance and repair
2.4 Fishing gear in a practical situation
Unit 3: Fish Ecology I
3.1 Classification
3.2 Principle commercial species in the Mediterranean
3.3 Biology of marine organisms
3.4 Biological sampling techniques
Unit 4: Fisheries Management I
4.1 Why fisheries need to be managed
4.2 Methods of management
4.3 Application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in fisheries management
4.4 Introduction to fisheries economics
4.5 Current fisheries management practices used in the Mediterranean
Unit 5: Statistics, Data Handling & Transferable Skills
5.1 Personal transferable skills to effectively disseminate and gather information
5.2 IT systems and their application
5.3 Collection and handling of data
5.4 Statistical techniques to analyse data
Unit 6: Fishing Technology
6.1 First principles
6.2 Fishing vessel design
6.3 Stability
6.4 Dimensions and shape of fishing gear
6.5 Hydrodynamics and hydrostatics as applied to towed and static gear
Unit 7: Seamanship
7.1 Boat handling and safety
7.2 Join or attach ropes and wires
7.3 Origins of weather systems and the dissemination of information to mariners
7.4 Navigation & chartwork techniques
Unit 8: Aquaculture
8.1 History and current status of aquaculture in the Mediterranean
8.2 Principle culture systems used in aquaculture
8.3 Site selection for land and sea based farms
8.4 Culture of sea bass and sea bream
8.5 Legislative and environmental issues pertinent to the aquaculture industry.
Year II
Unit 9: Fisheries Oceanography
9.1 Sediments in the ocean
9.2 Production
9.3 Propagation of sound and light in seawater
9.4 Environmental factors and changes affecting fish stocks and migrations in the Mediterranean
Unit 10: Fish Ecology II
10.1 Life histories of principle species in the Mediterranean
10.2 Distribution patterns of principle species
10.3 Population structure and dynamics of specific stocks and populations within the Mediterranean
10.4 Feeding and survival techniques
10.7 Reproductive processes and strategies
Unit 11: Fisheries Management II
11.1 Stock assessment as a fisheries management tool
11.2 Decision making in fisheries management, development and planning
11.3 Alternative systems of fisheries management
Unit 12: Fisheries Law and Policy
12.1 Historical development of International Law of the Sea
12.2 International laws, consultations and voluntary codes in fisheries
12.3 Fisheries in the European Union
12.4 Fisheries enforcement procedures
12.5 Law and policy in aquaculture.
Unit 13: Marine Environmental Management
13.1 Main sources and sinks of pollution
13.2 Sustainability
13.3 Impact on the environment
13.4 Environmental management
Unit 14: Fish Processing
14.1 Importance of fish as a food source
14.2 Quality of fish and causes of fish spoilage
14.3 Principle methods of preservations and processing
14.4 Legislation and standards for fisheries products
14.5 Implementation of hazard analysis system
14.6 Quality Assessment
Unit 15: Marketing
15.1 Marketing process
15.2 Target Marketing
15.3 Marketing mix
15.4 Market segments
Unit 16: Managing People
16.1 Select personnel
16.2 Development
16.3 Allocate work
16.4 Evaluate performance
16.5 Disciplinary and grievance procedures
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