Students from the Department of Fisheries and Watershed Management at the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR), have undertaken a three-day field trip to the Eastern Region to enhance their practical understanding of aquaculture and water resource management.
The trip, a core requirement for third-year students pursuing BSc. Aquaculture and Water Resources Management and BSc. Natural Resources Management (Fisheries and Watershed Management option) was designed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.
During the visit, students toured key aquaculture facilities, including Mordecai Farms, Lee Farms, BigBite Fisheries and Processing Company, and the Aquaculture Research and Development Centre (ARDEC) at Akosombo.
Students expressed enthusiasm about the experience, describing it as both enlightening and inspiring. Loise Adutwum shared her excitement:
“Truly, my expectations have been met. I was hoping that by the end of this trip, I would fall deeply in love with my programme, and I can confidently say I’m there. God bless our lecturers for organizing this. We hope to see more of such opportunities.”
The experience provided a unique opportunity for students to engage directly with industry players and observe practical applications of concepts they have studied in class, many of which are not easily replicated within the university environment.
Throughout the trip, students were exposed to modern fish production systems such as recirculating aquaculture systems, cage and pond culture, aquaponics, as well as fish processing and post-harvest techniques.
Grace Brimpomaa highlighted the impact of the trip.
“The trip has been wonderful. We visited several fish farms and aquaculture companies and learned about different culture systems, including cage farming and hatchery operations. It truly complements what we’ve been taught in class. We even had the opportunity to ride on a canoe, which was very fun.”
Similarly, Vanessa Edinam Bonyo described the experience as eye-opening:
“I have had such an amazing experience so far. Seeing in real life what we’ve been taught in class, especially systems we don’t have on our farms here, has been eye-opening. Learning how wastewater can be used in greenhouses to grow vegetables alongside fish production was particularly fascinating. It’s been an incredible journey.”
From aquaculture systems to fish processing techniques, the trip offered invaluable insights into the sector.
For many students, including Attoh Nathaniel, the trip was not only academically enriching but also refreshing and memorable.
“This trip has really helped me. It refreshed my mind, and it was my first time seeing such a vast lake. It was both calming and exciting, and I’m truly grateful for the experience,” he noted.
The field trip leaves students with more than just memories; it strengthens their understanding, sharpens their interests, and reinforces their readiness to contribute meaningfully to the fisheries and aquaculture sector.
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