Course Description:

The class addresses the issues, challenges and opportunities related to the management of coastal and marine resources through a focus on the design, implementation and evaluation of marine protected areas. Worldwide, marine protected areas are being seen as both necessary and appropriate in addressing anthropogenic impacts resulting from human use and overuse, of the marine ecosystems, including commercial and recreational fishing, marine transportation, off-shore development related to oil and gas resources, mineral extraction and renewable energy, land-based sources of pollution, and global climate change. Students will be given the opportunity to learn about how marine protected areas managers are confronting these challenges, and develop a practical understanding of the tools managers use, and acquire some understanding of what challenges have yet to be effectively met.

Prerequisites

Only for students in Coastal and Marine Management (MRM programme)

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, a student:

has gained a systematic understanding of the complex and dynamic nature of management of marine protected areas, learning to "think like a manager", and apply "lessons learned" from the design and management of marine protected areas in the larger context of marine and coastal conservation.
can accurately define a problem, think about it in a critical manner, assess information at hand and draw inferences about how best to approach its resolution.
has understanding of the various human activities that can adversely affect the structure and function of coastal and marine ecosystems, and is familiar with management strategies which are effective at addressing such threats.
has gained the skills necessary for participating in and facilitating group discussions and deliberations, as well as crafting and delivering effective presentations targeted to key stakeholder audiences.