Professional diploma800 h · Online · 8 modules

Professional Diploma in Sustainable Aquaculture

This professional diploma gives you a complete, practical view of responsible and profitable aquaculture. You will study the global context of the sector, the biology of farmed fish, molluscs, crustaceans and algae, open-sea cages, longlines, ponds, recirculating systems and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture, water quality and environmental carrying capacity, nutrition and alternative feeds, fish health and biosecurity, certification schemes and markets, and the planning, costs and management of aquaculture projects, finishing with the plan for a sustainable aquaculture farm.

Duration800 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules8
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About the program

What is the Professional Diploma in Sustainable Aquaculture?

This professional diploma prepares you to plan, run and improve aquaculture operations that are environmentally sound and economically viable. You will learn how aquaculture contributes to food security and rural employment, how the main farmed species reproduce, grow and are kept in good welfare, how sea cages, mussel rafts, longlines, land-based tanks and recirculating aquaculture systems are designed and automated, how water quality, oxygen, effluents, harmful algal blooms and carrying capacity are monitored, how feeds and feeding strategies affect conversion ratios and product quality, and how disease prevention, vaccination and biosecurity reduce the need for treatments.

What sets this professional diploma apart: an end-to-end approach that runs from species biology to marketing and business planning; a strong sustainability focus covering effluent management, multi-trophic systems, renewable energy on farms and alternative proteins from insects and algae; practical coverage of fish health, sea lice, responsible treatment use and humane slaughter; a clear view of ASC, GlobalG.A.P. and organic schemes, traceability and labeling; dedicated attention to licenses, insurance, investment and management indicators; and a final project in which you design the plan for a sustainable aquaculture farm.

Program typeProfessional diploma
ModeOnline
Duration800 hours
Modules8
Start1 December

Program highlights

  • Species biology: fish, molluscs, crustaceans and algae, hatcheries and genetics.
  • Farming systems: sea cages, rafts, longlines, tanks, RAS and multi-trophic farms.
  • Water and environment: quality parameters, carrying capacity and effluents.
  • Nutrition: requirements, conversion ratios and alternatives to fishmeal.
  • Health and markets: biosecurity, vaccination, ASC and GlobalG.A.P. and value chains.
  • Final project: the complete plan for a sustainable aquaculture farm.
Syllabus

Syllabus of the Professional Diploma in Sustainable Aquaculture

8 modules. Select a module to see its content.

Module 1

Fundamentals of aquaculture

  • 1.1. History and global situation
  • 1.2. Farmed species
  • 1.3. Farming systems
  • 1.4. Role in food security
  • 1.5. Sustainability challenges
  • 1.6. Aquaculture production in Spain and Europe
  • 1.7. Aquaculture and rural employment
  • 1.8. Aquaculture research
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 2

Biology of farmed species

  • 2.1. Fish, molluscs, crustaceans and algae
  • 2.2. Life cycles
  • 2.3. Reproduction in captivity
  • 2.4. Physiology and growth
  • 2.5. Animal welfare
  • 2.6. Larval rearing and fingerling production
  • 2.7. Genetics and selective breeding
  • 2.8. Emerging species
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 3

Systems and facilities

  • 3.1. Open-sea cages
  • 3.2. Mussel rafts and longlines
  • 3.3. Ponds and land-based tanks
  • 3.4. Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS)
  • 3.5. Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture
  • 3.6. Cage and mooring design
  • 3.7. Automation of facilities
  • 3.8. Renewable energy on farms
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 4

Water quality and the environment

  • 4.1. Physical and chemical parameters
  • 4.2. Oxygenation and control
  • 4.3. Environmental carrying capacity
  • 4.4. Environmental monitoring
  • 4.5. Effluent management
  • 4.6. Water quality sensors
  • 4.7. Low oxygen events
  • 4.8. Harmful algal blooms
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 5

Nutrition and feeding

  • 5.1. Nutritional requirements
  • 5.2. Feeds and alternative raw materials
  • 5.3. Feed conversion ratios
  • 5.4. Feeding strategies
  • 5.5. Reducing fishmeal use
  • 5.6. Automated feeding
  • 5.7. Nutrition and product quality
  • 5.8. Insect and algae proteins
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 6

Health and biosecurity

  • 6.1. Common diseases
  • 6.2. Prevention and vaccination
  • 6.3. Responsible use of treatments
  • 6.4. Biosecurity protocols
  • 6.5. Animal health regulations
  • 6.6. Disease diagnosis
  • 6.7. Sea lice and parasites
  • 6.8. Welfare at slaughter
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 7

Certification and markets

  • 7.1. ASC, GlobalG.A.P. and organic certification
  • 7.2. Traceability
  • 7.3. Marketing and the value chain
  • 7.4. Labeling
  • 7.5. Consumer acceptance
  • 7.6. Marketing aquaculture products
  • 7.7. Distribution channels
  • 7.8. Prices and markets
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 8

Project management and feasibility

  • 8.1. Regulations and concessions
  • 8.2. Production planning
  • 8.3. Costs and investment
  • 8.4. Innovation and technology
  • 8.5. Aquaculture insurance
  • 8.6. Project financing
  • 8.7. Management indicators
  • 8.8. Final project: plan for a sustainable aquaculture farm
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Plan your pace

Duration and format of the Professional Diploma in Sustainable Aquaculture

It is 800 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.

4 h30 h
With 12 h per week
15
months to finish
67 weeks
weeks in total

This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.

Faculty

Academic leadership and faculty

The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.

Dra. Marina AlcoverDr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Ing. Diego CifuentesEng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerDr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dra. Nuria LlobregatDr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Ing. Javier BañulsEng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Ing. Sofía MarquinaEng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Ing. Tomás RieraEng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration Coordinator
Objectives

Objectives of the Professional Diploma in Sustainable Aquaculture

01Design and implement aquaculture production strategies that minimize environmental impact, using recirculating and biofloc systems to cut water use and effluent discharge while monitoring key parameters.
02Assess and optimize recirculating aquaculture systems to reduce water and energy use, applying biofiltration and denitrification and monitoring ammonia and nitrite.
03Manage aquaculture farms under recognized sustainability standards, maintaining traceability, environmental monitoring and animal welfare systems that support schemes such as ASC or BAP.
04Apply circular economy principles to add value to by-products and reduce waste, identifying material flows and adapting production processes to reuse them.
05Formulate nutritious, efficient aquaculture diets that rely less on unsustainable ingredients, including food industry by-products, insects and microalgae to reduce fishmeal and fish oil.
06Implement disease control and biosecurity strategies that limit antibiotics and chemicals, prioritizing hygiene, vaccination and early diagnosis.
Careers

Career opportunities after the Professional Diploma in Sustainable Aquaculture

01Production technician on fish, shellfish or algae farms
02Aquaculture project manager for the design and start-up of sustainable farms
03Sustainable aquaculture consultant for companies and public bodies
04Sustainability and certification manager in aquaculture companies
05Quality control or fish health technician along the aquaculture value chain
06Technical sales specialist for aquaculture feeds, equipment and services
Frequently asked questions

Questions about the Professional Diploma in Sustainable Aquaculture

Sustainable aquaculture: production that limits environmental impact through efficient water use, waste reduction and disease prevention, while remaining economically viable and socially responsible.

Fish, molluscs, crustaceans and algae, farmed in open-sea cages, rafts and longlines, ponds and tanks, recirculating aquaculture systems and integrated multi-trophic set-ups.

This diploma gives a complete, applied overview of sustainable production in 800 hours. Navalis Institute master's programs go further into areas such as biotechnology, genetics or industrial-scale farming.

No. You will learn how these schemes work and what farms must do to meet them; certification of a farm is granted by independent certification bodies after an audit.

Yes. It is fully online, with round-the-clock access, discussion forums and downloadable materials so you can study at your own pace.

Yes. The final module covers regulations and concessions, production planning, costs and investment, insurance, project financing and management indicators.

Through practical exercises and case studies in each module and a final project in which you design the plan for a sustainable aquaculture farm.

A Navalis Institute professional diploma certifying the 800 hours of the program, together with the farm plan you develop in the final project.

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Online admission

Admission process

No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.

Entry requirements
  • Profile: a degree in biology, environmental sciences, agricultural or forestry engineering, veterinary science or a related field, a higher technical qualification in aquaculture, or proven professional experience in the sector; basic knowledge of biology, chemistry and aquatic ecology is recommended.
  • Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
  • Technical resources: a computer with camera and microphone, a stable internet connection and a PDF viewer.
  • Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
  1. 01
    Application
    Your details, background and documents.
  2. 02
    Instant review
    We check that everything is complete and in order.
  3. 03
    Enrollment
    Choose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Start my applicationFrom $328 deposit

Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.

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