A pioneering new degree - believed to be one of Britain’s first - has just been launched to help inform the future managers of our natural marine resources.
The marine resources sector - which includes fisheries, marine tourism, such as whale and dolphin watching and renewables - is expanding so rapidly that the policies as to how best govern and sustain it are desperately playing catch up.
Now the new MSc in Applied Marine and Fisheries Ecology – Concepts and Practices for Ecosystem-Based Management has been developed in partnership by the University of Aberdeen and Fisheries Research Services to fill that knowledge gap and help develop much needed policies and strategies
The one year course draws together expertise from key organisations which include the Fisheries Research Services Marine Laboratory, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee as well as from the University's own internationally renowned Oceanlab and marine biology staff.
The MSc also has attracted great support from the Scottish Fishermen's Trust which is giving £15,000 over the next three years to fund five bursaries every year.
The Trust sees the benefit of helping students who could end up informing those making decisions on fisheries management.
The Fishmongers' Company is also continuing its support of fisheries postgraduate education at the University of Aberdeen with a yearly £3,000 bursary.
Dr Beth Scott, lecturer within the University's School of Biological Sciences, said: "We are very excited to be offering this brand new degree which we would expect to be of huge interest to marine biologists, zoology undergraduates and anyone looking for employment or to further their research capabilities in the management of our marine natural resources.
Dr David Lusseau, Lecturer in Marine Populations, also within the University's School of Biological Sciences, said: "Our MSc in Applied Marine and Fisheries Ecology will deliver a tremendous skill set and deliver graduates fully equipped to face the challenges of ecosystem-based management.
"We acknowledge that there is currently little consensus on the best way to approach ecosystem-based management. This degree aims to provide students with all the tools needed for putting together such a managerial framework and allow them to make up their own minds about ecosystem based management.
"There is an ulterior motive to this course, we want to attract the next generation's best minds to tackle this timely challenge and we envisage the course producing new ideas on the best way forward for ecosystem -based management."
James Brown, Chairman of the Scottish Fishermen's Trust, added: "The Scottish Fishermen's Trust was set up by the Scottish Fishermen's Federation. The award of bursaries puts into practical effect the desire to encourage the expertise and skills required to meet the challenges in marine resource management. The trust is committed to sustainable fisheries for which ecosystem based management is essential."
For more information about the MSc visit http://www.abdn.ac.uk/fisheco