A group of five people stand and sit smiling around a woman working at a stereomicroscope in a laboratory. She uses tweezers to handle a sample, while the others look on with interest. The work table has a computer, keyboard, paper and a camera. Two large ventilation pipes are visible on the wall behind the microscope. The atmosphere seems to be light-hearted and engaged — Students on the course “Principles of Fisheries Science” analyze otoliths (hearing stones) during a visit to SLU's Institute of Marine Research in Lysekil. Photo: Johanna Kozák.

Principles of Fisheries Science

Page reviewed: 20/03/2025

How much can we fish without jeopardising fish stocks and ecosystems? Fisheries science is the field that answers that question. In the course Principles of Fisheries Science you will learn all about the trade, from data collection and stock assessments to scientific advice and fisheries management.

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This is a multi-disciplinary course which provides you with theoretical understanding and practical skills in the principles of science-based fisheries management: from fish ecology, population dynamics and stock analyses to scientific advice and fisheries management actions. The course is intended for a broad range of students who are interested in fish, fisheries and sustainable development who want to learn the foundations of the scientific advice for sustainable fisheries and conservation of aquatic resources.

The course includes a week visit and laboratory activities at the Institute of Marine Research (SLU) in Lysekil, on the Swedish west coast.

One full year of fish studies

The course Principles of Fisheries Science can preferably be taken in combination with the course Ecology for Fish Management and Conservation. The courses are held during the same term (semester) and form a solid basis for students who want to work nationally or internationally with water and fish management issues. By taking the courses together, in combination with one thesis project, they cover one whole academic year of fish studies (60 ECTS).

Qotes from past students

“Principles of Fisheries Science is a great course for students who are interested in fisheries modelling and stock assessment science, where the return in knowledge exchanged for the 10 weeks of course time is very high. The course touches on a variety of topics that are relevant in the context of fisheries science”. /Previous student