Management of fisheries and aquaculture resources [SBOEM144]

Learning outcomes

To make students aware of the importance of fisheries production and the dramatic development of aquaculture to meet the world's aquatic animal protein needs as an alternative to fisheries supplies. To understand the main mechanisms of regulation of fish populations, methods of stock assessment and determination of the levels of sustainable exploitation of aquatic resources by humans.

Content

Introduction to the biology of fisheries and the evolution of marine and freshwater fish stocks. Description of the main methods of catching fish. Acquisition of fish stock assessment methodologies: estimation of growth parameters (Von Bertalanffy curve), age structure, mortality rate, and optimum sustainable exploitation level. Development of aquaculture: history, production statistics, species produced, production techniques and methods of improving fish production, problems and future prospects The course is completed by a visit to aquaculture production sites in Belgium or in neighbouring countries.