AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS AND FISHERIES MANAGEMENT

ACADEMY OF LAND AND ENVIRONMENT

AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS AND FISHERIES MANAGEMENT

HIGHER LEVELS Offering a great pathway to higher level aquatic-based study, including freshwater ecology, environmental science and marine biology

WHY STUDY AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS AND FISHERIES MANAGEMENT AT REASEHEATH?

Our courses

Level 2 Technical Certificate in Land and Wildlife

Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Land and Wildlife Management (Fisheries) Level 3 Technical Baccalaureate in Land and Wildlife Management (Fisheries) Level 2 T-Up Transition Programme in Habitat Management (starting 2024) T Level in Habitat Management (starting 2024)

Our courses are industry focused so you’ll have close contact with the industry to make sure you are up to date with current trends and practice.

Become career ready with industry work placements which will equip you with vital skills and could even take you abroad!

You’ll be taught by our dedicated staff, all of whom have extensive experience across the field and are passionate to share their knowledge.

Small cohort groups will give you a more personalised learning experience and plenty of support as and when you need it.

Off campus, you'll go on a variety of trips and practicals including to fisheries, beaches, aquariums and more, so you will get a wellrounded student experience.

Access a variety of pools, lakes and streams and industry standard equipment during your lessons on campus. Fishing for a great career?

Our industry focused qualifications suit anyone with a passion for aquatics and cover fishery management in the United Kingdom, tropical environments, and marine environments. As well as theoretical work, practical work with industry providers will ensure you have the relevant knowledge and experience required to be employed in your chosen aquatic sector.

Courses are diverse and you will obtain knowledge ranging from aquatic specific subjects such as fish biology and fish health, to broader subjects such as biological processes in which we will discuss the natural process that affect the plant.

Our specialist staff have all worked in industry and have key industry links, so you’re in a great position to get a job once you’ve completed your qualification. The nature of this course also offers a great pathway to higher level aquatic-based study, including freshwater ecology and marine biology.

Where could your career take you?

Our courses allow for progression to university or employment in the fishery management and ecology sector.

If you enjoy working outdoors and you are interested in the management and care of fish, there are lots of career opportunities for you to explore. Here is an idea of just some of the roles and sectors you could go into: • Fish farmer • Fisheries officer • Fish farm technician • Fishery manager • River keeper • Estate management • Utilities industry • Ecology and conservation • Associated retail trades • Ornamental fish industry

Our campus and beyond

Our campus offers access to a variety of pools, lakes and streams and has industry standard equipment that complements the wealth of knowledge the teaching staff provide in the classroom.

We have excellent support from local fisheries and professional anglers, which allows our students to work alongside the best in the field. The college is ideally located in the heart of Cheshire with great links to Manchester, Liverpool, Chester, Birmingham and surrounding areas, perfect for our regular field trips and off-site practical sessions.

Your Reaseheath Experience

You may get involved in activities, trips and study tours off campus. For example, a proposed trip in 2022 will see the fishery management students undertake a 5-day fieldwork trip to Nettlecombe Court; Exmoor National Park. Here they will undertake an array of environmental investigations in aquatic and terrestrial habitats and use cutting edge industry techniques such as infiltrometers to measure the rate water filters through soil. This experience will improve their understanding of aquatics and the environment. What will you learn?

The one-year Level 2 course will give you the opportunity to gain skills, knowledge, and confidence across a wide range of countryside focused subjects. You will develop your understanding of fundamental principles that can help you progress on to a specific countryside Level 3 course or T Level, or into employment.

For Level 3, your first-year will cover both terrestrial and aquatic habitats, which will help you understand how species interact in a delicately balanced system. Your second year will be much more specialised towards aquatics.

Benefit from our industry links

Regular sessions working with industry providers give our students a great chance to get to grips with real life consultancy projects. You will get involved in netting, fish surveys and further broaden your knowledge of fish habitats and the management of fisheries working alongside industry professionals. Trips to local fisheries, aquariums, aquatic shops and guest lectures from experts across the industry, including the Lancashire Wildlife Trust, will further add to your skills and knowledge of aquatics.

You will complete an industry focused work placement during your time as a student. Whether it be working at a fishery, aquatic related business or within the environmental sector, you will have the opportunity to really put skills learnt in the classroom and on campus into practice. Your placement will be tailored around ensuring you’ll be well equipped for the world of work by the end of your course.

During your course you’ll also have the opportunity to study additional qualifications such as safe use of chainsaws and ATV handling – a fantastic addition to your CV!

Callum’s story

Callum Binnersley

Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Land and Wildlife Management (Fisheries) 2023 Next step: More experience in fish farm management Ambition: Fishery owner

“The best parts of my course are the opportunities to learn about fishery management and fish care through hands on experience.

“We’re well supported by our course tutors in practical sessions and I’m also gaining relevant skills at my work placement at Cudmore Fisheries. It’s a popular coarse and carp fishery and I work there for my term time placement and during holidays.

“I was introduced to Cudmore Fisheries during a college field trip when we helped to sein net the lake as part of a stock assessment. I’m gaining a fantastic overview of site management, including maintenance and customer care. Reaseheath has a good reputation within the industry and I use all the skills I’ve learned, such as how to weigh and health check fish.” Jess’s story

Jess Kidd

Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Aquatic Systems and Fisheries Management 2022 Job title: Waterways Operative for Canal & River Trust Ambition: Aquatic Conservationist

“I was work ready thanks to my course so I started applying early and began a seasonal post with the Canal & River Trust the day after my final exam. Weeks later a permanent position came up so I was in a great place to apply and was successful.

“I’m part of a new team concentrating on reservoirs in the Macclesfield and Peak Forest area – there’s no other team like it in the country! We check water levels, test water purity, survey the dams and do general maintenance. I use all the practical skills and knowledge I gained from my course.

“I can discuss my findings with top hydrologists, water engineers and ecologists within the trust and everyone is very supportive. I love every minute of my job!”