James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2023

MB5310 - Marine Reserves as Fisheries Management Tools

Available to postgraduate science students.

Subject Description

An 8-day intensive subject on recent advances in the use of no-take marine reserves as fisheries management tools. Emphasis will be on tropical marine fisheries and reserves. Major themes will be the status of world marine fisheries and the need for new approaches to management like no-take marine reserves, the long-term impacts of fishing on marine ecosystems, the need for appropriate ecosystem baselines, and thus the need for no-take marine reserves protected effectively in the long-term, and the advantages and disadvantages of no-take marine reserves as fisheries management and conservation tools.

Learning Outcomes

• To understand the status of marine fisheries and some basic effects of fisheries, emphasizing those aspects most appropriate for understanding the biology and management of tropical fisheries
• To examine historical impacts of fishing. Will appreciate that if one is ignorant of history, one has no chance of interpreting the present accurately, and a very flawed view of future recovery
• Be introduced to recent developments in the methods of managing tropical fisheries, particularly no-take marine reserves as fisheries management tools
• To develop skills in researching, presenting and evaluating information published on fisheries and marine reserves. Develop skills in research report writing skills and seminar presentation

Subject Assessment

• Oral > Presentation 1 - (25%) - Group
• Assignments - (30%) - Individual
• Written > Examination (College administered) - (45%) - Individual

Note that minor variations might occur due to the continuous subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.

Assumed Knowledge:  Students enrolling in this subject should have an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline or have acquired equivalent knowledge through other study. They should have an excellent understanding of level 3 science and should have completed SC5202 or equivalent, and have an excellent understanding of ecological principles.

Inadmissible Subject Combinations:  MB3310

Availabilities