The course provides a current assessment of the national and global status of aquaculture and fisheries, including consideration of origins of aquaculture, current challenges, and future prospects. Examples of seaweed, invertebrate, and fish aquaculture in New Zealand and elsewhere will be examined. In addition, there is a review of general environmental and biological problems faced by aquaculture activities and the role of scientific knowledge in dealing with many of these problems. Of specific focus is the application of genetic techniques in aquaculture, fin fish welfare in production systems, operation of aquaculture hatcheries and the evaluation of environmental impacts created by aquaculture. The course consists of a series of two hour seminar sessions spaced throughout the semester, with each session dealing with a different topic area. A mixture of approaches to learning are used throughout the seminars, including lecture style content delivery, individual discovery and sharing, peer-to-peer discussion and participatory exercises. In addition, the course includes a one day field trip to local aquaculture facilities to gain direct experience of aquaculture science and practice. The course includes a practical component that is undertaken as part of a graded assignment for the course and involves hands-on experience with raising aquatic organisms. A sound knowledge of BIOSCI 328 - Fisheries and Aquaculture or equivalent is assumed.
This course can contribute to a PGDipSci or MSc or MMarineSt. Graduates from this course have gone on to careers in research, as well as roles in community organisations, aquaculture industry, regional and central government, industry and consulting, in a variety of roles including researchers, technicians, policy analysts, science and technology managers.