MARINE AQUACULTURE
- 14th edition: 2026/2028
- Start date: October 2026
- Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Spain)
- 976 716 000
- iamz@iamz.ciheam.org
Organised by:
INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAMME
Whilst the demand for fish and other aquaculture products has shown a worldwide increase in recent years, for the past decade fisheries landings have stagnated at 100 million tonnes per year due to restrictions to avoid overexploitation of the fishing grounds. As a consequence of this situation, the production of aquatic organisms in controlled conditions has spread worldwide, becoming a real alternative to satisfy the increase in demand for these products at present and in the immediate future.
In the Mediterranean, a traditional fish-consuming region, the actual and potential development of aquaculture is very high in molluscs and in finfish, originating a demand for highly-trained experts for different areas of the sector. The Master, both for its theoretical and its practical content, responds fully to the objective of training these specialists.
The Master is held in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, jointly organised with the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) through the Faculty of Marine Science, and the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM) through CIHEAM Zaragoza (Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Zaragoza), with the collaboration of the Aquaculture Research Group (GIA), the Canarian Science and Technology Park Foundation of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the ECOAQUA Institute of the ULPGC, and the Masar al’an programme of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID).
The Master has been offered since 1997 and its contents are updated and revised for each new edition. It is structured in two parts (120 ECTS) and held every two years. It is an official Master of the Spanish university system within the framework of the European Space for Higher Education.
The Master enables participants to:
- Become acquainted with the most innovative scientific and technological bases of genetics, nutrition, reproduction, pathology, and engineering which support the development of aquaculture
- Acquire practical experience in production methods and techniques
- Become familiar with the different production systems of the species that are most relevant at world level, with special emphasis on Mediterranean species
- Become acquainted with the necessary requirements to draw up and execute a modern aquaculture project
- Acquire basic knowledge for technical and commercial management of aquaculture businesses
- Be initiated into research, critically applying acquired knowledge, capabilities and abilities to the treatment of real-world problems related to aquaculture
- Exchange experiences and points of view, enhanced through a programme developed in a highly international and interprofessional context
Modules
Year One (60 ECTS)
During the first year (60 ECTS), the programme provides intensive basic training in all fields of aquaculture through theoretical and practical classes from October 2026 to June 2027. These activities are conducted in combination with field visits and seminars. The programme will be delivered in the Scientific and Technological Park and requires full-time participation. The total duration of the course is 600 teaching hours.
I. INTRODUCTION TO AQUACULTURE (1 ECTS)
Relevance of aquaculture. Current status of various production categories. Evolution of aquaculture in geographic regions.
II. NUTRITION (12 ECTS)
Physiology of nutrition. Nutritional requirements and dietary ingredients: lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, nutritional energy.
III. HEALTH (12 ECTS)
Animal welfare in aquaculture. General and specific anatomic pathology in cultured fish. Immunology. Major viral diseases. Major bacterial diseases. Parasitic diseases caused by fungi. Non-infectious diseases. Prevention and treatment of diseases.
IV. REPRODUCTION (4 ECTS)
Physiology and control of reproduction in shellfish and crustaceans. Physiological regulation mechanisms of reproduction in teleosts. Induced reproduction in bivalve molluscs and decapod crustaceans. Induced reproduction in teleosts. Broodstock management in fish. Design of facilities. Food and nutritional requirements of broodstock.
V. GENETIC IMPROVEMENT (6 ECTS)
Population genetics. Quantitative genetics. Biotechnology. Genetic improvement in aquaculture. Genetic improvement in fish. Microsatellite techniques applied to marine cultivation.
VI. ENGINEERING SYSTEMS AND FACILITIES (3 ECTS)
Water delivery systems. Pumping systems. Aeration and oxygenation systems. Hatchery, nursery and on-growing facility design.
VII. ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT (3 ECTS)
Financial-economic assessment of projects. Project design and development. Feasibility studies. Marketing and commercialisation. Research project management.
VIII. TECHNICAL HATCHERY PRODUCTION (8 ECTS)
Auxiliary cultures. Compared production techniques. Larval development histology. Mesocosmos technology. Algae culture. Recent advances in larval feeding. Hatchery techniques.
IX. ON-GROWING TECHNIQUES (5 ECTS)
On-growing in extensive systems. On-growing in intensive on-land systems. On-growing in intensive sea farming systems. Finishing feeds: nutritional value and fish colour. Overall fish fillet quality. On-growing techniques.
X. CULTURE TECHNIQUES OF DIFFERENT SPECIES (3 ECTS)
Macroalgae culture. Mussel culture. Oyster culture. Clam and cockle culture. Scallop culture. Peneids and Macrobrachium culture. Catfish culture. Tilapia culture. Carp culture. Salmonid culture. Halibut culture. Turbot culture. Seabass and seabream culture. New species culture. Alternative culture systems. Fish aquaria.
XI. ENVIRONMENT (3 ECTS)
Aquaculture and the environment. Biodiversity associated with marine aquaculture. Sustainability of marine aquaculture. Codes of conduct. Aquaculture as a tool for preserving endangered species.
TOTAL – 600 horas de contacto, 900 horas de trabajo individual, 60 ECTS
Year Two (60 ECTS)
In the second year (60 ECTS) students can specialise in any of these areas through the implementation of a research project and the final Master thesis in one of the ULPGC research groups or partner institutions or companies. This training period is an introduction to applied research in aquaculture to be completed before June 2028 for subsequent public defence.
XII. INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH (30 ECTS)
Complementary courses. Project planning, data processing, interpretation and presentation. Optical histology techniques. Electron microscopy techniques. Fish morphophysiology.
XIII. MASTER THESIS (30 ECTS)
The final Master thesis will consist of a research project carried out by the student on an original topic in any of the research groups, institutions and firms collaborating in the Master. The research topics and supervisors will be proposed by the Master’s Advisory Committee. Students may also propose other topics and supervisors with a solid international scientific reputation.
REASONS TO STUDY THIS PROGRAMME
Why choose this Master?
1. International experienc
A unique opportunity to create a network of professional contacts and study and work with students and experts from different countries.
2. Lecturers with renowned experience
The first part of the Master’s programme is taught by over 40 aquaculture specialists from the ULPGC and other universities in Spain and abroad, as well as from research centres and companies in the sector.
3. Innovative multidisciplinary programme
Updated contents of the most innovative scientific and technological bases that support the development of aquaculture, delivered through theoretical lectures, seminars, technical visits, lab practicals and on-hand training in the aquaculture facilities of the ULPGC.
4. Access to cutting-edge aquaculture facilities
Over 2500 m2 devoted to integrated algae, mollusc, crustacean and finfish production and 500 m2 of nutrition, histology, genetics, reproduction, and pathologies labs, and a feed manufacture workshop.
5. Initiation to research in renowned institutions
Conduct a research project and work towards a Master thesis within research groups at the ULPGC or at other universities in Spain and abroad, as well as at research centres and companies in the sector.
6. Official University Master’s Degree
Official University Master’s Degree awarded by the ULPGC and a Master of Science degree awarded by CIHEAM (equivalent to the official master’s of the Spanish university system). Post-graduate specialisation diploma awarded by CIHEAM upon completion of the first year.
7. High employability rate
High employability rate in the aquaculture sector in firms, universities, research centres and public administrations.
master coordination
TESTIMONIALS
Admission
The Master of Science programme is designed for a maximum of 20 participants with higher university qualifications, preferably in marine science, agronomy, veterinary science, biology, biotechnology and other related studies.
Participants should have written and spoken knowledge of Spanish, which will be the working language of the programme and most of the documents provided will be in Spanish. CIHEAM Zaragoza will organise an intensive Spanish course online between July and September 2026 for those participants that require it. Furthermore, since some of the conferences and part of the teaching material will be in English, knowledge of English will also be valued in the selection of candidates.
Registration fees are approximately 1000 euro for each academic year of the Master.
Applicants may pre-register for the Master through the ULPGC. Deadlines for pre-registration in the academic year 2026-2027 will be published by the ULPGC at: https://www.ulpgc.es/masteres-administracion
Candidates from CIHEAM member countries (Albania, Algeria, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Malta, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Tunisa and Türkiye), and Arab countries belonging to the Spanish Cooperation Programme Masar Al’an (Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Mauritania, Palestine, Syria and Tunisia), may request scholarships awarded by CIHEAM Zaragoza covering registration fees, a monthly assignment, and medical and accident insurance.
Candidates from countries that do not belong to CIHEAM may request a “CIHEAM Zaragoza – INIA-CSIC” scholarship covering registration fees, a monthly assignment, and medical and accident insurance. This scholarship may also include a contribution to travel expenses.
These scholarships are administered by CIHEAM Zaragoza and will be awarded based on academic merit. Priority will be given to candidates from low and middle-income countries.
Scholarship applications should be submitted before 4 May 2026 at: https://admission.iamz.ciheam.org/en/
FAQS
Dates and deadlines
- The first year of the university Master will run from October 2026 to June 2027. The second year will begin in September-October 2027 for a duration of 10 months.
- Pre-registration deadlines for the academic year 2026-2027 will be published by the ULPGC: https://www.ulpgc.es/masteres-administracion
- There are two application periods for the university Master. The first period opens in the spring and closes in June. If there are places still available following the first application period, a second period will open from 1 to 15 September.
- Applications for scholarships awarded by CIHEAM Zaragoza and the Spanish cooperation programme Masar al´an should be submitted before 4 May 2026.
Scholarships
- Candidates from CIHEAM member countries (Albania, Algeria, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Malta, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Tunisa and Türkiye), and Arab countries belonging to the Spanish Cooperation Programme Masar Al’an (Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Mauritania, Palestine, Syria and Tunisia), may request scholarships awarded by CIHEAM Zaragoza covering registration fees, a monthly assignment, and medical and accident insurance. Candidates from countries that do not belong to CIHEAM may request a “CIHEAM Zaragoza – INIA-CSIC” scholarship covering registration fees, a monthly assignment, and medical and accident insurance. This scholarship may also include a contribution to travel expenses. These scholarships are administered by CIHEAM Zaragoza and will be awarded based on academic merit. Priority will be given to candidates from low and middle-income countries. Scholarship applications should be submitted before 4 May 2026 at: https://admission.iamz.ciheam.org/en/
- Public and private entities may award scholarships to participate in the programme. These scholarships may cover totally or partially the registration fees. More details and information on calls for scholarship applications for postgraduate studies are available at: https://www.ulpgc.es/becas.
- For the second year of the Master, students carrying out their research project in a province of Spain other than Las Palmas may opt for financial support through the Student Mobility Programme (B Modality) of the Spanish Ministry of Education. Students may also apply to the Erasmus+ programme for mobility grants for practicals in other European countries.
Degrees and Diplomas
Postgraduate Specialisation Diploma issued by CIHEAM (60 ECTS)
Official Spanish master’s degree issued by the ULPGC and Master of Science issued by CIHEAM (120 ECTS) (equivalent to the official master’s degree of the Spanish university system).
Medical insurance
It is compulsory for master’s students to have medical insurance valid for Spain. Proof of insurance cover must be provided at the beginning of the Master.
In collaboration with:
