Sustainability perspectives on contemporary fisheries. Where have all the fishes gone?
Fishes play important roles in ecosystems by structuring them and by transferring nutrients up and down in the food webs. They are also important to humans as a food source and income. There is a current concern regarding fish stock depletion, and scientists as well as policymakers around the world are working towards sustainable fisheries goals.
At this course you will meet lecturers with different specialties regarding fish and fisheries, such as marine biologists, limnologists and evolutionary ecologists. You will also meet experts on the fishing industry and sustainable fisheries. You will learn how fish stocks are managed today, and how they could be managed in the future. The course will give you basic understanding of the influence of fisheries on ecosystems, and of the function and significance of fisheries for human societies, in Sweden and globally.
Information from the course leader
This online course is aimed for those of you who want to learn more about fish and fisheries. You will learn about how to combine lakes and seas full of life with sustainable fisheries. The course provides a broad overview of current and future challenges for sustainable fisheries.
The course will be given fully online, with lectures given in the evening. Study pace is 25%.
Contact me if you have any questions!
Josefin Sundin: josefin.sundin@slu.se
Course evaluation
The course evaluation is now closed
MX0143-10309 - Course evaluation report
Once the evaluation is closed, the course coordinator and student representative have 1 month to draft their comments. The comments will be published in the evaluation report.
Additional course evaluations for MX0143
Academic year 2023/2024
2023-08-28 - 2024-01-14
Academic year 2022/2023
2022-08-29 - 2023-01-15
Academic year 2020/2021
2020-08-31 - 2021-01-17
Academic year 2019/2020
2019-09-02 - 2020-01-19
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
MX0143 Sustainability perspectives on contemporary fisheries. Where have all the fishes gone?, 7.5 Credits
Hållbarhetsperspektiv på nutida fiske. Vart har alla fiskarna tagit vägen?Subjects
Environmental Science Environmental scienceEducation cycle
Bachelor’s levelModules
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Single module | 7.5 | 0101 |
Advanced study in the main field
First cycle, has only upper-secondary level entry requirementsBachelor’s level (G1N)
Grading scale
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.
Language
EnglishPrior knowledge
Knowledge corresponding to basic eligibility for higher educationObjectives
The aim of the course is to provide a broad overview around current and future challenges for a sustainable fishery. After finishing the course, the student should:
• Describe the significance of fish in the global food system
• Describe an overall status for the fish stocks based on a number of global and national examples
• Account for basic characteristics of Swedish and international fisheries management
• Discuss different aspects of sustainability (environmental, social, economic) and different sustainability challenges that the fisheries management faces today and will face in the future
• Describe a number of new possible directions for increased sustainability in fisheries.
Content
The course consists of three segments. In the first segment, a basic report of the state of the fish and its significance as food and other ecosystem services, based on national and international examples. Current fisheries policies and management are also described. In the second segment, a number of sustainability challenges that fisheries management changes are described. Environmental, economic and social aspects are accounted for. In the third segment, a number of new directions which can make future fisheries more sustainable are discussed. Tuition is mainly performed as lectures from scientists and different stakeholders, combined with discussion groups. The interaction between lecturer and students is important and student groups are thereby responsible for preparing questions to the lecturer before each lecture. Participation in the discussion groups are mandatory.
Grading form
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.Formats and requirements for examination
Approved individual assignments and group assignment and presence at mandatory course parts.
- If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.
- The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.
- If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.
- For the examination of a degree project (independent project), the examiner may also allow the student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Other information
The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.
If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Additional information
The course is student run and is a part of CEMUS (Centre for Environment and Development Studies) which is a collaboration with Uppsala University (http://www.web.cemus.se/).The study pace is 25% over one term with the predominating part of the curriculumn during evenings.
Responsible department
Department of Aquatic Resources
Grading criteria
Marking scale: 5: Pass with Distinction, 4: Pass with Credit, 3: Pass, U: Fail
Objectives:
The aim of the course is to provide a broad overview around current and future challenges for a sustainable fishery. After finishing the course, the student should be able to:
- Describe the significance of fish in the global food system
- Describe an overall status for the fish stocks based on a number of global and national examples
- Account for basic characteristics of Swedish and international fisheries management
- Discuss different aspects of sustainability (environmental, social, economic) and different sustainability challenges that the fisheries management faces today and will face in the future
- Describe a number of new possible directions for increased sustainability in fisheries.
Grading criteria
|
Learning outcome |
Grade 3 |
Grade 4 |
Grade 5 |
|
1 |
… Describe the significance of fish in the global food system |
(grade 4 not possible for this learning outcome)
|
(grade 5 not possible for this learning outcome)
|
|
2 |
… Describe an overall status for the fish stocks based on a number of global and national examples
|
(grade 4 not possible for this learning outcome)
|
(grade 5 not possible for this learning outcome)
|
|
3 |
… Account for basic characteristics of Swedish and international fisheries management
|
(grade 4 not possible for this learning outcome)
|
(grade 5 not possible for this learning outcome)
|
|
4 |
… Discuss different aspects of sustainability (environmental, social, economic) and different sustainability challenges that the fisheries management faces today and will face in the future
|
… Critically discuss different aspects of sustainability (environmental, social, economic), and different sustainability challenges that the fisheries management faces today and will face in the future. |
(grade 5 not possible for this learning outcome)
|
|
5 |
… Describe a number of new possible directions for increased sustainability in fisheries.
|
… Discuss a number of new possible directions for increased sustainability in fisheries.
|
… Critically discuss a number of new possible directions for increased sustainability in fisheries.
|
Requirements for examination:
Approved individual assignment (interview), approved written exam and presence at mandatory course parts, including participation at lectures, reading course literature, and participation in discussions.
Individual assignment: Interview with a policymaker/stakeholder/researcher.
The assignment consists of three parts: 1). Preparation including writing a short summary on the chosen interview topic and preparation of questions, and discussion with the fellow students to improve the interview questions. 2). Perform the interview and write a summary. 3). Present the topic with background and the interview summary to fellow students, followed by a discussion. All parts of the interview are mandatory.
Written exam: Towards the end of the course, there will be an individual written assignment in the form of essay questions based on the lectures.
Participation at lectures and discussions: There will be 8 lectures given by invited lecturers. The students should read the course literature prior to each lecture. Active participation at the lectures and in the discussions is mandatory to pass the course. The students can miss out on a maximum of 2 lectures. In such an event, a summary of the lecture based on the recorded presentation and literature shall be written.
The grade will be based on the quality of the individual assignment, the quality of the written exam, and the participation at lectures and in discussions.
Litterature list
- Sustainable fishing Författare: National Geographic Society [Sustainable fishing] (https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/sustainable-fishing/) Kommentar: Literature for lecture 2. Introduction, where have all the fishes gone? Jonas Hentati-Sundberg.
- Low impact and fuel efficient fishing—Looking beyond the horizon Författare: Suuronen, P., Chopin, F., Glass, C., Løkkeborg, S., Matsushita, Y., Queirolo, D., & Rihan, D. [Low impact and fuel efficient fishing—Looking beyond the horizon] (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165783611003870) Kommentar: Literature for lecture 8. Bycatches and developing equipment. Sara Königsson.
- The role of recreational fishing in global fish crises Författare: Cooke, S. J., & Cowx, I. G. [The role of recreational fishing in global fish crises] (https://academic.oup.com/bioscience/article/54/9/857/252977) Kommentar: Literature for lecture 9. Recreational fishing. Göran Sundblad.
- Recreational sea fishing in Europe in a global context—Participation rates, fishing effort, expenditure, and implications for monitoring and assessment Författare: Hyder, K., Weltersbach, M. S., Armstrong, M., Ferter, K., Townhill, B., Ahvonen, A., et al. & Borch, T. [Recreational sea fishing in Europe in a global context—Participation rates, fishing effort, expenditure, and implications for monitoring and assessment] (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/faf.12251) Kommentar: Literature for lecture 9. Recreational fishing. Göran Sundblad.
- Governing the recreational dimension of global fisheries Författare: Arlinghaus, R., Abbott, J.K., Fenichel, E.P., Carpenter, S.R., Hunt, L.M., Alós, J., Klefoth, T., Cooke, S.J., Hilborn, R., Jensen, O.P., Wilberg, M.J., Post, J.R., Manfredo, M.J. [Governing the recreational dimension of global fisheries] (https://www.pnas.org/content/116/12/5209)1) Justification theory for the analysis of the socio-cultural value of fish and fisheries: The case of Baltic salmon Författare: Ignatius, S., & Haapasaari, P. [Justification theory for the analysis of the socio-cultural value of fish and fisheries: The case of Baltic salmon] (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X17300027) Kommentar: Literature for lecture 11. Social sustainability in fisheries. Milena Arias-Schreiber.
- The community: a missing link of fisheries management Författare: Jentoft, S. [The community: a missing link of fisheries management] (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X99000093) Kommentar: Literature for lecture 11. Social sustainability in fisheries. Milena Arias-Schreiber.
- A physiological perspective on fisheries-induced evolution Författare: Hollins, J., Thambithurai, D., Koeck, B., Crespel, A., Bailey, D. M., Cooke, S. J., Lindström, J., Parsons, K. J., & Killen, S. S. [A physiological perspective on fisheries-induced evolution] (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/eva.12597) Kommentar: Literature for lecture 13. Evolutionary induced effects of fishing. Shaun Killen.
- Shoal size as a key determinant of vulnerability to capture under a simulated fishery scenario Författare: Thambithurai, D., Hollins, J., Van Leeuwen, T., Rácz, A., Lindström, J., Parsons, K., & Killen, S. S. [Shoal size as a key determinant of vulnerability to capture under a simulated fishery scenario] (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ece3.4107) Kommentar: Literature for lecture 13. Evolutionary induced effects of fishing. Shaun Killen.
- Cooperatives, concessions, and co-management on the Pacific coast of Mexico Författare: McCay, B. J., Micheli, F., Ponce-Díaz, G., Murray, G., Shester, G., Ramirez-Sanchez, S., & Weisman, W. [Cooperatives, concessions, and co-management on the Pacific coast of Mexico] (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X13001553) Kommentar: Literature for lecture 2. Introduction, where have all the fishes gone? Jonas Hentati-Sundberg.
- Incentives, social–ecological feedbacks and European fisheries Författare: Österblom, H., Sissenwine, M., Symes, D., Kadin, M., Daw, T., & Folke, C. [Incentives, social–ecological feedbacks and European fisheries] (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X11000194) Kommentar: Literature for lecture 2. Introduction, where have all the fishes gone? Jonas Hentati-Sundberg.
- The impact of marine reserves: do reserves work and does reserve size matter? Författare: Halpern, B. S. [The impact of marine reserves: do reserves work and does reserve size matter?] (https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1890/1051-0761%282003%29013%5B0117%3ATIOMRD%5D2.0.CO%3B2)1) Transitions toward co-management: the process of marine resource management devolution in three east African countries Författare: Cinner, J.E., Daw, T.M., McClanahan, T.R., Muthiga, N., Abunge, C., Hamed, S., Mwaka, B., Rabearisoa, A., Wamukota, A., Fisher, E., Jiddawi N. [Transitions toward co-management: the process of marine resource management devolution in three east African countries] (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S095937801200026X?via%3Dihub)1) Key principles of marine ecosystem-based management Författare: Long, R. D., Charles, A., & Stephenson, R. L. [Key principles of marine ecosystem-based management] (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X1500024X) Kommentar: Literature for lecture 5. Current research: management based on ecosystems. Andreas Bryhn.
- Ecosystem-based fisheries management: Perception on definitions, implementations, and aspirations. Författare: Trochta, J. T., Pons, M., Rudd, M. B., Krigbaum, M., Tanz, A., & Hilborn, R. [Ecosystem-based fisheries management: Perception on definitions, implementations, and aspirations.] (https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0190467) Kommentar: Literature for lecture 5. Current research: management based on ecosystems. Andreas Bryhn.
- Will fish be part of future healthy and sustainable diets? Författare: Bogard, J. R., Farmery, A. K., Little, D. C., Fulton, E. A., & Cook, M. [Will fish be part of future healthy and sustainable diets?] (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(19)30018-X/fulltext) Kommentar: Literature for lecture 3. Fish as a food resource. Malin Jonell.
- Competition for the fish–fish extraction from the Baltic Sea by humans, aquatic mammals, and birds Författare: Hansson, S., Bergström, U., Bonsdorff, E., Härkönen, T., Jepsen, T., Kautsky, L., Lundström, K., Lunneryd, S-G., Ovegård, M., Salmi, J., Sendek, D., & Vetemaa, M. [Competition for the fish–fish extraction from the Baltic Sea by humans, aquatic mammals, and birds] (https://academic.oup.com/icesjms/article/75/3/999/4616536) Kommentar: Literature for lecture 8. Bycatches and developing equipment. Sara Königsson.