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ZO5012: MARINE AND FISHERIES ECOLOGY, CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT (2022-2023)

Last modified: 26 Oct 2022 14:30


Course Overview

This course introduces the characteristics of the marine environment that are relevant to managing human activities in relation to conservation of marine biodiversity and sustainable exploitation of marine resources. The course considers the ecosystem roles of different biological groups, with a particular focus on the key role of fishes. There is an introduction to the policies, management approaches and organisations involved in the development of marine ecosystem-based management, with a focus on the north-east Atlantic Ocean and particularly the North Sea. This provides a foundation of knowledge for concepts and issues that are explored in more depth in subsequent courses.

Course Details

Study Type Postgraduate Level 5
Session First Sub Session Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Philip Smith

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

Using the North Sea as a case study this course provides essential knowledge about the marine environment and food webs. Linkages between the population biology of commercial fish species in the North Sea and the policies used to define sustainable harvesting will be highlighted to illustrate the ecological principles that underpin the management of marine resources. Policies relevant to conservation of the North Sea ecosystem and the policy instruments available will be reviewed. The role that different stakeholders play in management of marine ecosystems will be reviewed. In groups, students have the opportunity to apply their understanding to a marine ecosystem in another part of the world, to characterise its properties and to evaluate the state of development of ecosystem-based management.

The course will be delivered by marine ecologists, industry consultants and government scientists working in applied marine management. The course does not require a detailed knowledge of marine ecology and ecosystems. Students already having a background in biology will benefit from the material on policy and management.

Learning outcomes:

The intended learning outcomes are that on successful completion of the course you should be able to:

  • identify the main physical processes and chemical properties of marine environments relevant to biological productivity and biodiversity
  • describe the structure and function of a temperate shelf-sea marine ecosystem
  • explain critical aspects of fish population dynamics and the effects of climate change on them
  • outline the main international and regional conventions that drive policy relating to management of marine ecosystems in the northeast Atlantic
  • define the roles of key organisations involved in marine ecosystem management in European waters
  • understand how marine science is used to support management

Associated Costs

DescriptionValue
Students should possess a Howie laboratory coat and safety glasses. Further details of requirements can be found on the course's MyAberdeen page. The cost listed here is approximate. GBP 23.00

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

Assessment of practical work

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 60
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Online Test

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 15
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Oral Presentation: Group

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 25
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Marine Ecosystem Review (group presentation with weighting from peer assessment)

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualUnderstand• Conceptualise the interactions among key aspects of the biology, ecology, and policy relevant to North Sea
ConceptualEvaluateIntegrate and evaluate information from diverse sources to determine the effectiveness of current marine resource management.
ConceptualAnalyseUndertake data analysis related to fish biology and write up the results in a scientific-style report
ConceptualEvaluateCritically evaluate the key issues related to conservation and management of marine resources

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