College of Fisheries Mangalore

College of Fisheries, Mangalore, is the first fisheries college in India established under the agricultural university system, founded in 1969. It is a constituent college of the Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University (KVAFSU), Bidar. Previously affiliated to the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, the college transitioned to KVAFSU when fisheries education was reorganised under the veterinary and animal sciences university framework.

The college offers a four-year BFSc (Bachelor of Fisheries Science), a two-year MFSc (Master of Fisheries Science), and a three-year PhD programme. MFSc and PhD specialisations cover Aquaculture, Fish Processing Technology, Fisheries Microbiology, Fisheries Resources and Management, Fisheries Environment and Ecology, Fisheries Engineering Technology, Aquatic Animal Health Management, and Fisheries Economics Statistics and Extension across eight academic departments.

Operating from twin campuses in Mangaluru, the main Yekkur campus houses administrative offices, the central library (14,000+ volumes), hostels, an auditorium, and sports facilities, while the Technology Wing at Hoige Bazar near the Nethravathi River mouth provides specialised processing and engineering laboratories. Approximately 300 students study across UG, PG, and PhD programmes under 35 specialised faculty members.

The college houses a UNESCO-recognised Microbial Resource Centre and a Disease Diagnostic Centre for aquatic animal health. An active Alumni Association, established in 1980, has over 1,300 graduates working in fisheries research, aquaculture industry, food processing, and government fisheries departments. The annual Fishco Festival draws participation from 40+ colleges. Recruiters include CP Aquaculture, Hindustan Lever, and Avanti Feeds, among others in the aquaculture and seafood processing sectors.