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University of Washington
 

FISH 437 and 537 Winter 2012

Fisheries Oceanography investigates how the environment influences distributions and abundances of marine vertebrate and invertebrate species. Results of fisheries oceanographic studies are used to:

Increase understanding of fish and zooplankton life histories
Predict recruitment to commercially harvested populations
Reduce uncertainty in resource management decisions
Decouple anthropogenic from natural effects on aquatic populations
This multidisciplinary course will enable you to:

Understand fish and zooplankton life histories
Identify physical factors influencing survival and recruitment
Critically evaluate scientific literature
Identify the next logical step in scientific investigations
Evaluate potential contributions of fisheries oceanography to ecosystem-based resource management
After investigating the history and techniques of fisheries oceanography (week 1), the class will examine aquatic population responses to physical forcing (weeks 2-5), and then use case studies to illustrate applications of integrating oceanographic and fisheries data in resource management practices (weeks 6-10).