AFI-20306 Aquaculture and Fisheries

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Continuation courses:

AFI-30806 Fisheries Ecology; AFI-31306 Life History of Aquatic Organisms; AFI-31806 Aquaculture Production Systems; AFI-32306 Nutrition, Welfare and Reproduction in Aquaculture; AFI-32806 Marine Resources Management; AFI-33306 Sustainability in Fish and Seafood Production; Part of BSc Minor Marine.

Contents:

Fish and other seafood are important components of the human food package. Its supply is secured through exploitation of the aquatic environment, either by extraction (capture fisheries) or by farming (aquaculture). This course gives an overview of the different forms and management opportunities of aquatic production. It gives an introduction in different methods to influence the production capacity of the animal (at organism and population level) and the possibilities and limits set by the aquatic environment to this capacity. Specific attention is given to sustainability aspects and an ecosystem approach of both aquaculture and capture fisheries. The course has a thematic structure, whereby each week is dedicated to another theme, such as, fisheries, fish culture, shellfish farming and the carrying capacity of coastal zones, growth, reproduction and welfare of fish, fish as element in water management, aquariology etcetera. Guest speakers from the professional field, policy makers and/or NGOs, will complete the course.
This course is also available as Distance Learning course; for more information contact the course coördinator.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
• Obtain basic information on different forms, distribution, and relative importance of Aquatic Products (resources; fish, shrimps and molluscs) and Aquatic Production in the human food chain
• Understand how (aquatic) environmental factors influence the quality and quantity of aquatic production, both in natural and in culture conditions
• Obtain basic information regarding the biological and ecological factors that affect the production process in aquatic organisms and –populations
• Understand how man can manipulate this production process both in natural and in culture conditions
• Learn to analyse and explain variations in aquatic resources and production.

Activities:

- follow lectures and study the lecture notes;
- participate in lab exercises and study the exercise notes;
- participate in the tutorials, and study the tutorial notes.

Examination:

Written test existing of a mix of essay and multiple choice questions, dealing with all aspects addressed during the course:
- 50% related to subjects handled during the lectures and lecture notes
- 50% related to subjects handled during the tutorials and lab exercises (practicals).

Literature:

Course guide and lecture notes for lecture part, notes for practicals and tutorials are available from the first lecture through Black Board.
Internet site, with course material.