News & Views
Aquaculture industry educator honoured by British Trout Association

Sparsholt has a global reputation for providing education in fishery, aquaculture and marine studies. Attendees included 40 industry members representing a number of fish farms and covering a wide range of topics from the history of the industry to its future development.

Sparsholt lecturer George Hide was honoured at the conference dinner with the Peter Jones Award for service to the industry.

“The BTA was delighted to present the Peter Jones Award this year to George Hide,” says Oliver Robinson, chair of the BTA and presenter of the award. “George has been a key contributor in training new recruits into the trout farming industry and has been responsible for leading much needed food trials.”

Sparsholt says its lecturing team ensures more than half of students in their final year return from their work placements with jobs lined up for their career following graduation, adding many have also progressed further on to the master’s level.  

“I enjoyed my time at Sparsholt College; the best thing about it was the relationship between the students and the lecturers,” says Lewis Flowers who graduated in aquaculture and fishery management and who is now a trout farmer.

“I currently work for the Environment Agency in the National Fisheries Team and have been working for them for 10 years,” says aquaculture and fisheries management graduate Neil Lewin. “My experience at Sparsholt was brilliant. I initially didn’t want to go to uni but then I fell in love with Sparsholt.”

The university says many alumni have returned to attend industry meetings and training.

“I don’t think I would have made the connections I did if I hadn’t gone to Sparsholt,” says sport fishery management and aquaculture graduate Robert Waker. “The course was also great for practically teaching and preparing me for going into the industry; it’s very relevant in that sense. I am now a hatchery manager at a Trout Farm.”

“The lecturers are very helpful and knowledgeable, with extensive knowledge in their own specific fields,” says aquaculture and fishery management graduate Kelvin Moolman. “They provide great industry links and provide support even after you’ve left. I am now a hatchery manager on a restocking trout farm.”

Oliver Robinson (left) and George Hide.