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ZO3812: APPLIED MARINE BIOLOGY, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE (2024-2025)

Last modified: 25 Jul 2024 12:16


Course Overview

This course explores how the science of marine biology is applied to understanding and managing human interactions with marine life. Humans affect and are affected by marine organisms in diverse ways through a wide range of activities in estuaries, seas and oceans. Understanding the processes leading to these effects and the consequences for both nature and humans is necessary to manage them well. This is the field of applied marine biology, which typically requires a multidisciplinary approach.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 3
Term Second Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Philip Smith

Qualification Prerequisites

  • Either Programme Level 3 or Programme Level 4

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

Historically, major areas of marine biology have developed in response to the need to understand and manage ‘applied’ issues: activities or processes with practical, commercial or welfare consequences for humans, such as fisheries, aquaculture, biofouling, pollution and, more recently, other marine industries, the spread of invasive non-native species, conservation of marine biodiversity, and effects of climate change. Applied marine biology draws on several biological disciplines and often involves surveying and measuring physical and chemical aspects of the marine environment. Marine biologists therefore need to work closely with other disciplines, professions, industries and the public to understand the characteristics of human activities and how they interact with the marine environment and marine biota. The word “interact” is used here because human activities can both impact and be impacted marine life. For example, it is well known that populations of marine species may be reduced, or species assemblages degraded, through fishing, pollution or habitat change. Examples of marine life affecting human interests include the growth of marine organisms on ships increasing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, harmful algal blooms causing toxins in seafood, and venomous or predatory marine species posing a threat to people who enter the water for recreational or commercial purposes.

This course explains how the science of marine biology can be applied to understand the interactions between human activities and marine environments, habitats and species through exploration of selected topics. Importantly, the course also examines how that understanding can be translated into appropriate management measures.

The course is delivered through a combination of talks, field and laboratory practical classes, group work, and guided individual study. The particular topics considered may vary from year to year, but typically include:

  • Environmental impact assessment (EIA): lectures and supplemental material explain the process of assessing the environmental effects of marine ‘developments’ (construction or other activities) and the information requirements for this. EIAs commonly stipulate that there should be monitoring of key environmental features and biota at different stages of the development. In the assignment for this part of the course, student teams act as environmental consultancy companies to bid for a contract to monitor populations of specified groups of marine organisms in the wake of a major marine development. Teams review the environmental impact assessment for the development and background information on their biological group then design and cost a multi-year survey programme, which is set out in a “tender” or “bid” (a written offer to a client to carry out the required work). This task is supported with a talk, tutorial, and recommended reading on approaches to sampling and surveying in the marine environment. To incorporate professional realism, teams also record the process of developing the tender in the form of ‘minutes’ of their team’s meetings.
  • Fisheries: the ways in which marine fisheries can be managed and the scientific information required for this are introduced in lectures and directed reading. The associated assignment involves a field survey of an exploited species followed by laboratory work to generate vital data that are subject to a series of analyses to estimate critical fishery parameters such as abundance, biomass, mortality, growth, and size at maturity. Students work in small groups to complete the practical work, then the class dataset is collated and shared for individual analysis and reporting. This is supported with a tutorial, analysis guides and a drop-in session.
  • Aquaculture: the variety of marine species cultivated for human consumption and different systems for producing them are reviewed. Current approaches to avoiding and treating disease in aquaculture are explained in detail, drawing on research expertise in the School of Biological Sciences. Environmental impacts of aquaculture and ways of reducing them are examined. To promote critical thinking and logical argumentation, reading and debate is encouraged about the pros and cons of this form of food production. The assignment linked with this part of the course is a short, written piece that critically reviews a topical issue in marine aquaculture.
  • Invasive non-native species (INNS): a serious consequence of international shipping has been the spread of marine species beyond their natural range. Outwith their native conditions and suite of predators and competitors, some species have proliferated, outcompeting or preying on native species, spreading disease or altering habitats. These are invasive non-native species. Lectures set the scene for this topic and a range of supporting material is provided. The class is encouraged to research and share information on different INNS and discuss causes, problems and proposed solutions.
  • Recent research: to provide examples of how the field develops, guest talks will be given on current areas of applied marine biological research in SBS and partner institutions (subject to availability).
  • Other topics: other areas of applied marine biology that may be considered include: biofouling (problematic growth of marine organisms on artificial structures), pollution, habitat modification for fisheries or conservation, activities that damage habitat, and the scientific underpinning of marine conservation.

Overall, the course aims to develop an understanding of the interface between the science of marine biology and activities of economic and societal importance. Many aspects of human intervention in marine ecosystems are controversial and knowledge is usually incomplete. There is therefore considerable scope to reflect on the role of science in informing those who have to judge where an appropriate balance between benefits and impacts may lie.


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Environmental Impact Monitoring Tender

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 30
Assessment Weeks 34 Feedback Weeks 38

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Feedback

A 3,000-word group assignment in which each team will act as an environmental consultancy company to produce a competitive tender for provision of a costed biological monitoring programme in the wake of a major development subject to environmental impact assessment. The ‘client’ will provide an outline tender specification for bids to conform to.

This assignment allows you to demonstrate key skills, such as: team-working, ability to apply principles of surveying and statistical requirements to a real-world task, financial realism, and ability to produce a genuine type of professional document to a deadline. Guidance and support will be provided for all stages of the process.

There will be peer assessment of individual performance, which will potentially modify a proportion of the grade awarded by staff. Written or recorded feedback will be provided to groups via MyAberdeen.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ProceduralApplyImplement teamworking skills to produce a professional document to a specification and on schedule.
ProceduralEvaluateAssess the advantages and disadvantages of different methods for estimating population abundance of marine species.
ProceduralUnderstandExplain the purpose and process of environmental impact assessment.
ReflectionCreateDesign a biological monitoring programme for marine species showing sound understanding of conceptual, procedural and logistical requirements.

Environmental Impact Monitoring Tender Minutes

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 5
Assessment Weeks 34 Feedback Weeks 38

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Feedback

This is a record of team meetings during preparation of the biological monitoring tender document to promote professional realism in the exercise. It should be a concise account of what was discussed and decided in meetings, showing how the tender developed. Guidance is provided on the typical structure and content of meeting minutes.

A portion of the grade awarded by staff will be subject to individual modification according to peer assessment.
Feedback will be provided to groups via MyAberdeen.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ProceduralApplyImplement teamworking skills to produce a professional document to a specification and on schedule.

Fishery Report

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 45
Assessment Weeks 39 Feedback Weeks 42

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Feedback

An individual 2,000-word report on the analysis and interpretation of fishery data collected on a common exploited shore species.

Data are generated from surveying and sampling in the field and from laboratory analysis, working in pairs and individually.

Guidance and support is provided on data analysis and report writing. Individual written or audio feedback will be provided via MyAberdeen. Generic feedback may be provided to the class.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualUnderstandExplain how different types of biological parameters needed for fishery stock assessment are estimated and used.
ProceduralApplyExecute a shore-based field survey and laboratory procedures to generate data for population analysis.
ProceduralApplyExplain how marine biology can be applied to understand and manage the interactions between human activities and marine environments, habitats and species.
ProceduralEvaluateAssess the advantages and disadvantages of different methods for estimating population abundance of marine species.

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 20
Assessment Weeks 41 Feedback Weeks 44

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Feedback

Aquaculture review essay.

A short review of a topical issue in aquaculture giving a critical, balanced perspective on potentially controversial matters. Individual written feedback will be provided via MyAberdeen.

Word Count 1000
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualEvaluateEvaluate the benefits of and concerns about marine aquaculture in a reasoned and balanced way.
ConceptualUnderstandExplain the principles of marine aquaculture, the development of the industry, and constraints on its growth.
ProceduralAnalyseIntegrate information on pathogen biology, disease causation and aquaculture system to explain different approaches to prevention and treatment

Formative Assessment

Class Test - Multiple Choice Questions

Assessment Type Formative Weighting
Assessment Weeks 34,38,40 Feedback Weeks 34,38,40

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Feedback

One or more formative self-tests of knowledge of the main course themes developed through lectures, practicals and reading.

The test(s) will be marked automatically by MyAberdeen and automated feedback will be provided for each question.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualEvaluateEvaluate the characteristics, strengths and weaknesses of common forms of fisheries management.
ConceptualUnderstandExplain the principles of marine aquaculture, the development of the industry, and constraints on its growth.
ConceptualUnderstandExplain how different types of biological parameters needed for fishery stock assessment are estimated and used.
ProceduralAnalyseIntegrate information on pathogen biology, disease causation and aquaculture system to explain different approaches to prevention and treatment
ProceduralApplyExplain how marine biology can be applied to understand and manage the interactions between human activities and marine environments, habitats and species.
ProceduralEvaluateAssess the advantages and disadvantages of different methods for estimating population abundance of marine species.
ProceduralUnderstandExplain the purpose and process of environmental impact assessment.

Discussion board

Assessment Type Formative Weighting
Assessment Weeks 38 Feedback Weeks 41

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Feedback

Discussion board for invasive non-native marine species.

The class will be asked to contribute individually to a Wiki on invasive non-native marine species, providing an information resource with a particular emphasis on attributes that influence invasiveness and the nature and severity of ecological problems caused. Comment and discussion of each other’s contributions is encouraged.

Individual feedback from staff will be provided via MyAberdeen.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseScrutinise information on invasive non-native marine species to identify the attributes most relevant to their predicted or actual ecological effects.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualUnderstandExplain how different types of biological parameters needed for fishery stock assessment are estimated and used.
ConceptualEvaluateEvaluate the benefits of and concerns about marine aquaculture in a reasoned and balanced way.
ReflectionCreateDesign a biological monitoring programme for marine species showing sound understanding of conceptual, procedural and logistical requirements.
ProceduralApplyExecute a shore-based field survey and laboratory procedures to generate data for population analysis.
ProceduralApplyExplain how marine biology can be applied to understand and manage the interactions between human activities and marine environments, habitats and species.
ConceptualUnderstandExplain the principles of marine aquaculture, the development of the industry, and constraints on its growth.
ConceptualEvaluateEvaluate the characteristics, strengths and weaknesses of common forms of fisheries management.
ConceptualAnalyseScrutinise information on invasive non-native marine species to identify the attributes most relevant to their predicted or actual ecological effects.
ProceduralAnalyseIntegrate information on pathogen biology, disease causation and aquaculture system to explain different approaches to prevention and treatment
ProceduralEvaluateAssess the advantages and disadvantages of different methods for estimating population abundance of marine species.
ProceduralApplyImplement teamworking skills to produce a professional document to a specification and on schedule.
ProceduralUnderstandExplain the purpose and process of environmental impact assessment.

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