Fisheries and Aquatic Conservation

The module combines the theoretical background and the practical implementation of fisheries management and aquatic conservation. The key aspects are:

1. Introduction to fish, shellfish and fisheries management,
2. The socioeconomic importance of fisheries and aquaculture,
3. The functioning of aquatic ecosystems and the impacts of fisheries on aquatic ecosystem health,
4. Factors affecting susceptibility to and recovery from overexploitation,
5. Fisheries Management Tools for wild populations,
6. Aquaculture,
7. Aquatic Biodiversity Conservation,
8. Case study and knowledge transfer/communication exercise

At the end of the module students understand the importance of aquatic resources for mankind and the variables which influence ecosystem functions as well as the principles of aquatic biodiversity conservation. They are able to analyze the effects of natural and man-made disturbances in aquatic ecosystems (e.g. overexploitation) based upon an interdisciplinary understanding of methodological aquatic and fisheries biology, human dimensions, socioeconomic factors and management skills. In addition, students are able to objectively integrate knowledge from different disciplines (e.g. fish biology, conservation biology, commercial fishing techniques, aquatic habitat assessment and management) to evaluate sustainable resource management.

The examination consists of a 60 min. written exam (Klausur). In addition, the students need to prepare a 10-15 min. presentation in the practical exercise. Gradings from the examination and the presentation are weighed in the ratio 2:1. The examination means to measure the student’s ability to assess anthropogenic influence on aquatic ecosystem functioning, evaluate the socioeconomic importance of fisheries and aquaculture, explain factors affecting susceptibility to and recovery from overexpoitation, create and apply sustainable aquatic conservation tools and recall fisheries management tools for wild populations as well as of the underlying biological principles such as fish population dynamics. In the written examination students demonstrate by answering questions under time pressure and without helping material their theoretical and practical (e.g. application of methods) knowledge about fisheries management. For answering the questions, the students require their own wording. In the practical exercise the students prepare a presentation in form of a brochure, poster, video or podcast. For the presentation, the student is expected to demonstrate that he or she is capable of preparing a certain topic within a given time frame in such a way as to present or report it in a clear and comprehensible manner to specific target audiences in the context of fisheries and aquatic conservation.

Interest in aquatic biology, social sciences, conservation biology and management; this course can be selected independently from other courses in the fields of Fish Biology and Limnology at TUM

• 1. King (2007) Fisheries Biology, Assessment and Management 2. Helfman (2007) Fish Conservation: A guide to understanding and restoring global aquatic biodiversity and fishery resources 3. Moyle & Cech (2004) Fishes An introduction to Ichtyology 4. Primack (2008) A primer of conservation biology

The module combines a lecture "Fisheries Management" with an accompanying practical exercise "Applied Aquatic Conservation". The lecture contents will be presented using lectures based on power-point presentation, group work and interactive role plays in order to combine The module combines a lecture "Fisheries Management" with an accompanying practical exercise "Applied Aquatic Conservation". The lecture contents will be presented using lectures based on power-point presentation, group work and interactive role plays in order to combine activating teaching methods with classic presentation techniques. In the accompanying practical exercise to the lecture the students will apply the gained theoretical knowledge by conducting case studies or participating research experiments with various content in the field of freshwater ecology and aquatic conservation. The content of the practical work is incorporated into running research projects at the chair (e.g. habitat restoration, artificial breeding programs, habitat assessment, conservation genetics). Additionally, the students learn to independently screen the respective literature in this field and learn methods in science communication.