AFI-32806 Marine Resources Management

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Contents:

This course is about the management of the use of natural resources in marine, coastal and large freshwater lake ecosystems, with a particular focus on fish, shellfish and crustacean fisheries. Marine resource management is treated as a continuous decision-making process: i.e. ecologically and economically feasible objectives are formulated based on realistic problem formulations. Other major aspects of this process are the collection of adequate information on fisheries, fish stocks, ecosystems and their drivers, and the analysis and evaluation of the effectiveness of management measures taken (such as e.g. Marine Protected Areas). Basic ecological and economic concepts and information tools will be taught that can help to inform simple to complex marine resource management situations. In several case studies (North Sea, tropical coastal ecosystems and large lakes) resource management options are reviewed from the perspectives of multiple stakeholders who have different objectives related to exploitation, conservation, biodiversity, and the use of marine space. In tutorials economic and ecological information tools will be practiced as for instance historical trend analysis, population- dynamical and bio-economic models, spatial analysis, game-theoretical approaches, and multicriteria analysis.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- explain and apply the concept of (adaptive) management as a decision-making process with uncertain information in marine resources management;
- analyse the trade-offs among conflicting objectives in marine resources management and develop effective ways to deliberate among objectives from ecological and economic viewpoints;
- explain the major ecological and economic drivers of marine resource use and measures available to regulate them, understand the influence of (international) regulations and their history, and understand the various procedures to evaluate the outcome of management;
- understand the information needs of various stakeholders in the management process and economic and ecological concepts and tools to acquire that information;
- integrate and present selected case studies of marine resources management problems.

Activities:

- follow lectures;
- perform tutorial exercises;
- analyse case studies.

Examination:

- written exam with open questions on lectures and tutorials;
- case study assessment.

Literature:

- study guide with de tailed study objectives;
- course book for both lecture and working lecture parts;
- internet site with lecture hand-outs and additional background information;
- assignments and self-test questions.