Course code: BIO-3556

Fishery Biology & Harvest Technology

Se how you can apply
Se how you can apply
Apply between July 20 and August 9
Campus Tromsø
Semester / Year Autumn 2015
Credits 10
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About the course

This subject is obligatory in the Master's programme in International Fisheries Management" (IFM).The course can also be taken as a singular course

An introduction is given to the methods traditionally used to investigate exploited aquatic organisms. This includes laboratory methods for determination of population parameters, and field work for direct estimation of fish density. The concept of a fishery model is introduced. We adapt this theory to widely diverse species and international fisheries, and make simple quantitative predictions of the suitability of different exploitation regimes. Harvest technology deals with a general description of the vessel and gear technology used in different parts of the world. We deal with fish behavior, types of materials, operation methods, selectivity, and fish detection and density estimation with hydro-acoustics. New developments in the pursuit of energy efficient and environmentally friendly gear, as by-catch reduction, and user friendly gear, will be addressed.

Admission requirements

Application code: 9371
Entrance requirements as for the M.Sc.programme in International Fishery Management.

Objectives of the course

This is an introductory course designed to level the knowledge of the students on aquatic biology and technology, irrespective of their academic background. The student becomes acquainted with different fishing methods and drilled on the basic field techniques, analytical tools, vocabulary and advice given by fishery scientists. This facilitates their participation in multi-disciplinary teams dealing with natural resources. The course is also a requirement for later courses on ecological assessment and population management. In addition to experience fieldwork and fishing, students rehearse some general research methods and skills.

Credit reduction

If you pass the examination in this course, you will get an reduction in credits (as stated below), if you previously have passed the following courses:

  • BIO-3558 Fish Ecology and Harvest Technology 2 stp
  • MTE-2001 Harvest technology in Norwegian marine fisheries 5 stp
  • FSK-2008 Harvest technology in Norwegian marine fisheries 5 stp

Teaching methods

Lectures, seminars, practical labs and research cruise, as well as self-study of basic concepts.

Students have to submit one field report after the research cruise.

Language of instruction and examination

The language of instruction and all syllabus material is English.

Recommended reading/syllabus

For Fisheries biology:

  • King, M., Fisheries Biology, Assessment and Management. 2nd ed. 2007, Oxford, UK: Blackwell Publishing.
  • Closs, G., B. Downes and A. Boulton, Freshwater ecology : a scientific introduction. 2004. Blackwell Publ., Malden, Mass.Closs
  • Seminars and hand-outs presented by students on oceanography, limnology and biology of exploited organisms
  • Exercises from data-labs
  • Preparatory readings in mathematics

 For Harvest technology:

  • Fish Catching methods of the World. Eds., O Gabriel, K Lange, E Dahm & T Wendt, 2005. Blackwell Publishing, Oxford, Chapters: 8,9,13,16, 19,20,25,26,27,29,29,31 and 32.
  • Hydro acoustic fish abundance estimation. K Olsen & R Jørgensen, 2006, (2007 modified/translated to English by A Aglen, IMR)
  • Manual of methods of measuring the selectivity of towed fishing gears. D Wileman et al, 1996, ICES Coop Res Rep 215.
  • By-catch reducing trawls in the North East Atlantic fisheries- the contribution by the University of Tromsø. R Larsen, 2006.
  • Manual on writing a cruise report. R. Larsen

Lecture handouts*). R Larsen

Application deadline

Applicants from Nordic countries: 1 June for the autumn semester and 1 December for the spring semester. Applicants from outside the Nordic countries: 1 October for the spring semester and 15 April for the autumn semester.

Assessment

Written examination, 4 hours.
The grading scale is A-F, where A-E is passed, and F is failed.
A re-sit exam is arranged in the next semester.

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Previous years and semesters

Contact us

Responsible unit: The Norwegian College of Fishery Science
Author image
Jorge Santos
Professor
jorge.santos@uit.no