Advanced Population Dynamics and Assessment, MEES 712

Spring semesters of odd-numbered years (last taught Spring 2019)

Fishery management relies on a quantitative understanding of population dynamics and the effects of exploitation on marine resources. This course focuses on developing students' quantitative and modeling skills, including understanding of population dynamics and responses of populations to exploitation and management actions. The course will cover population models of production, mortality, stock and recruitment, age and growth, and harvesting, and methods for using these models to provide management advice. Particular attention will be paid to assumptions and data requirements of models. Additionally, the course has a component of statistical model fitting and simulation. IVN based.

Fisheries Science and Management, MEES 682

Fall semesters of even-numbered years (last taught Fall 2018). Co-taught with Genny Nesslage.

Fisheries science is a dynamic enterprise that draws upon biology, ecology, oceanography, limnology, engineering, economics, human health, political science, anthropology, and sociology. Public agenda shapes the science that informs management of fisheries, which range from artisanal to recreational to industrial. Because fisheries science is often focused on solutions to specific problems, progress on the fundamental question - What comprises overfishing? - has been sporadic over its greater than 100 year history. We have learned that fishing can have profound influence on stock productivity, habitat, food web interactions, and biodiversity. On the other hand, new fisheries continue to develop and many existing fisheries have supported sustainable stocks and human nutrition and commerce for decades. Thus, the current challenge in fisheries science and management is promoting fisheries sustainability for a range of stakeholders while minimizing negative ecosystem effects. Here, we review the traditional ambit of concepts and approaches of fisheries science, but complement these with new avenues of science and management directed towards ecosystem-level considerations.

Short Courses Offered