Currently, there over 100 oyster leases and 350 registered fish farmers in this state, as well as a number of oyster and abalone hatcheries. While the farming of oysters, tuna and abalone show the most immediate promise in this region, research developments in the culture of other species such as King George Whiting, Snapper and Blue Mussels show significant potential for diversification. This is the first higher education course of its kind in South Australia and substantial support for its development has come from the South Australian fishing and Aquaculture industries. Completion of the course will give graduates the practical and theoretical skills to follow a career in aquaculture. In the first year, there is an introductory topic in aquaculture along with topics on biological diversity, gene expression, chemistry for aquaculture, quantitative methods for aquaculture, aquaculture systems, aquaculture operations and safety, and solution chemistry and water quality.
Students also select an elective topic in an area of interest.
During the third year, students study aquaculture management, marketing, business and law, learn about fish health and hygiene and complete an aquaculture research project. Further electives are also undertaken in specialist topics of interest. Teaching methods include lectures, tutorials, seminars, site visits, workplace experience and training, and research projects in the laboratory, aquarium and field. Situated in the heart of South Australia's aquaculture industries, LMSC is ideally placed to provide students with workplace-relevant training and experience. At present there is no specific Aquaculture Honours program, but students can undertake an aquaculture related project in the normal honours program offered by the School of Biological Sciences.