The course deals with the farming of fish, shellfish, crustaceans and sponges as well as the cultivation of aquatic plant species. The purpose of the course is to describe and analyze research, technological and productive achievements in the field of aquaculture, which will enable students to understand the techniques and problems of aquatic organisms’ reproduction and farming in controlled conditions.

Upon successful completion of the course students are expected to have acquired scientific knowledge, critical thinking and skills-abilities for the: a) understanding the basic principles governing the aquatic life in controlled conditions, b) evaluation of the suitability of a species for controlled mass production, c) the choice of the most suitable farming system for each farmed species, d) assessing the water quality of the farmed species, e) evaluation of the growth characteristics of the farmed species, f) operations of seawater and freshwater farm systems, g) fish management in farm tanks, h) applying good practices in farming, i) on-line access to libraries, databases and journals, j) understanding, analyzing and presenting research and bibliographic data, k) organization of an aquaculture unit.

1. Global production and trends in aquaculture - 2. Farmed and cultivated species in Greece - 3. The importance of water for aquaculture - 4. Criteria for the selection of aquaculture species and location - 5. Breeding systems - 6. Open and closed systems - 7. Hatcheries - 8. Cultivation of phytoplankton, zooplankton and macrophages - 9. Biological cycle and farming of sponge - 10. Biological cycle and rearing of bivalve mollusks - 11. Biological cycle and rearing of crustaceans - 12. Biological cycle and rearing of seawater fish - 13. Biological cycle and rearing of freshwater fish - 14. Evaluation of the farming production - 15. Biological Cycle and Breeding of Endangered Species - 16. New species - Decorative fish farming - 17. Breeding control. Problems – malfunctions - 18. Feed production and nutrition of cultivated species - 19. Stress - well-being - 20. Fish diseases, control and management - 21. Biotechnology and aquaculture - 22. Impact of aquaculture on the environment - 23. Impact of pollution on the aquaculture - 24. Seminars on special topics

1. The fishes of aquaculture. Morphology – identification - 2. Eggs, embryonic development and early developmental stages of farmed fish - 3. Artemia salina, hatching in lab - 4. Methods of anesthesia and measurements of fish - 5.Blood sampling methods and hematological characteristics of fish. Field exercise:  Hatchery (Nafpaktos) - Extensive lagoon crops (Messolonghi) - Fattening in fish cages and fish processing plant (Preveza) - Intensive farming of trout and hatchery (Preveza) - Eel intensive farming and smoking (Arta)

There are no prerequisites for the student to choose and attend the course.

The course is offered to Erasmus students: Teaching in Greek language - Exams in English language.

The evaluation process is carried out in Greek language (there is the possibility of written exams in English for Erasmus students). The grade of laboratory exams contributes 40% to the final, total, course grade and the grade of the theory exams contributes 60%.