Aquaculture, fishing and related industries are major employers in Golden Bay and the top of the South Island. The Aquaculture course aims to provide multiple career pathways for students that are interested in the salmon or mussel industries, and those who intend to study aquaculture at the tertiary level.

The Aquaculture course includes a selection of Unit and achievement standards that are taken from different subject areas, but assessed in an aquaculture context. There will be a combination of classroom-based activities, and the opportunity for students to carry out practical investigations in co-operation with local aquaculture operators. 
The Aquaculture course will also include the Coast Guard Day Skipper course and UHF Marine radio operators certificate. Senior students may take aquaculture in Years 12 or 13, as the achievement and unit standards offered below are at levels two through four.

​The Golden Bay High School Aquaculture course is funded through the generous support of the Marine Farming Association, and local businesses. ​

Mr Mark McKenzie is the Aquaculture/Biology Teacher at GBHS
This has been an exciting year for the YR12 students that took part in the Aquaculture course.  Through the year students have taken part in Day Skipper certificates, VHF certificates, Marine Radio Operator's Certificate and Boatmasters certificate through Coastguard Boating Education.

The students have also done assessments involved in mussels and salmon. We were very lucky that NMIT supplied us with 32 salmon eggs and a tank with a filtering and cooling system so that we can grow them in our classroom. Some students were responsible for taking water samples from the water and testing for PH, High Range PH, Nitrite and Ammonia so that we can keep the salmon alive, and so the water would stay nice and clean. Students were also responsible for cleaning out the tank and the filter system. 

We also got the chance to go to the Takaka Hatchery to have a look how the rearing process works, and also went to Anatoki so that we can catch a fish to dissect the next day. 

In 2018 the classroom will be extended and the students will be able to do more sampling with salmon and mussels. It will give students more opportunities in the classroom.

Aquaculture has been an awesome subject for me this year. As a result I am going over to NMIT next year to complete the Aquaculture diploma course.  I hope that other students get involved with aquaculture because it is a growing industry and I hope that more students choose to go into the Industry

by Caleb Harvey
​Abel Tasman Youth Ambassadors

In Term 2 our Abel Tasman Youth Ambassadors have been involved in several exciting activities. Members of the group have been fortunate enough to take part in the release of pāteke at Hadfields Clearing and joined students from Motueka High School and Motupipi Primary School to visit Wainui to learn about conservation efforts at the Motupipi School's adopted section.

Next term they look forward to trips to Bark Bay and Natureland where they will discover what is involved in the ongoing captive breeding programme as native birds get reintroduced to the national park.