Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
- Interpret basic data on fisheries (catch, effort, discards) and biological parameters (reproduction, growth, mortality) of commonly exploited
- living resources (fish, molluscs, crustaceans)
- Critically analyze the development of fishing activity in the country and in the world, considering the economic, political and social components
- Understand basic concepts of stock valuation
Program
- Main concepts in fisheries biology. Population and stock, catches and fishing effort. Main biological parameters (reproduction, growth, mortality. Structures. for data collection.
- Main exploited living resources: fish, crustaceans, molluscs and algae. Fishing arts and techniques and main types of fishing vessels.
- Exploitation of living resources: historical evolution and current situation in the world. Fisheries in the European Union and Portugal. The fishing industry, economic, political and social considerations.
- Basic knowledge of the theoretical concepts used in the assessment of commercially exploited marine living resources.
- Ecological problems of fishing. Multispecific aspect of fishing. Bycatch. Interactions between fisheries.
Teaching Methodologies
The theoretical component is presented throughout the semester through lectures and case discussions. The practical component consists in the development of specific studies using the concepts and methodologies of fisheries biology and stock assessment in a supervision environment. This study should give rise to a report in technical-scientific language.
Bibliography
Cadima, E. L. 2000. Manual de avaliação de recursos pesqueiros. FAO Documento Técnico sobre as Pescas, N°393. Roma. FAO, 162.
Caddy, J.F., Mahon, R. 1995. Reference points for fisheries management. FAO Fisheries Technical Paper. No. 347. Rome, FAO. 83p.
King, M. 1995. Fishery biology, assessment and management. Fishing News Books. 341p
Sparre, P.; Venema, S. C. 1997. Introdução à avaliação de mananciais de peixes tropicais. Parte 1:Manual. FAO Documento Técnico sobra as Pescas. No. 306/1, Rev. 2. Roma, FAO.. 404p.
