Fisheries Oceanography

After completing the course, the students will

• have acquired knowledge of the diversity of fish life forms, and how these relate to the spatial and temporal dynamics of fish populations
• have gained a conceptual understanding of historic and current hypotheses and concepts associated with fish recruitment variations
• have developed essential analytical skills and quantitative reasoning to address ecological aspects of fish population dynamics, particularly during early life history stages
• be able to critically examine and discuss the scientific literature on fisheries oceanography
• be able to write pertinent research proposals addressing ecological aspects of fish population dynamics in relation to environmental variability
• have gained essential knowledge to design and perform marine sample surveys on pelagic and benthic marine communities to address relevant questions in fisheries and marine conservation

have acquired practical skills to handle and process collected biological samples for the posterior downstream analyses

A greater scientific understanding of the mechanisms affecting fish population abundance and distribution in relation to variability of oceanographic parameters is needed to develop sustainable management strategies of our renewable ocean resources. The egg, larval, and early juvenile stages are considered critical periods in a fish¿s life history because events occurring during these stages may affect the abundance, distribution and connectivity of adult populations. Therefore, in this course particular emphasis will be placed on understanding the factors affecting survival, dispersal and distribution of fish during early life history stages in relation to environmental variation and human activities. We will draw examples from selected case studies, which are representative of the range of life history characters of marine and diadromous fishes. The course will include sessions with hands on data analysis of fish early life history stages. Additionally, the course will include an extensive fieldwork where students will get familiar with standard methods and protocols to collect, store and process planktonic and benthic marine organisms. During the fieldwork, students will collect planktonic samples to identify and characterize the planktonic communities drifting with the oceanic currents. They will also investigate the organisms inhabiting soft and rocky substrates along the shoreline.

Instruction is provided in the form of lectures and compulsory laboratory exercises and fieldwork. Instruction will be given in English, but if only Norwegian-speaking students attend, the teaching language is Norwegian. Students will work in groups on a marine conservation case which will be submitted and presented orally.

Information will be given in Canvas at the start of the course.

Estimated student workload in this course is 270 hours.

Compulsory attendance and approval of reports to laboratory exercises. More information about the reports and the laboratory and field exercises is given in Canvas by the start of the semester.

3-hour written individual examination counts 60%. Projects counts 40%. Both parts must be passed.

Graded assessment A-F.

Studieprogramleder i samråd med studenttillitsvalgt fastsetter evalueringsform og om emnene skal ha midtveis- eller sluttevaluering, jf. kvalitetssystemet kapittel 4.1. Informasjon om evalueringsform for emnet publiseres i Canvas.

Ja. Med forbehold om ledig plass/kapasitet.