96667 - VALUTAZIONE DELLE RISORSE BIOLOGICHE E GESTIONE SOSTENIBILE DELLA PESCA

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the students possess le biological, methodological and analytical knowledge necessary for the evaluation of the status of the biological marine resources, and for their sustainable use, in view of the current European legislations. In particular, the students are able to 1) describe the biological aspects most relevant for population dynamics; 2) explain the direct and indirect effects of anthropogenic and natural pressures on the exploited populations and ecosystems. Additionally, the students are able to 3) describe the main methods of monitoring of the biological resources and the related methodologies of laboratory analyses; 4) use the acquired knowledge in the application of the most common analytical techniques of evaluation of the biological resources’ status; 5) reason on the available and potential fisheries management tools, for a sustainable use of the marine resources and ecosystems.

Course contents

The contents are presented as divided in two Modules, which however are highly interconnected to each other.

Module 1

- The marine ecosystems and the problems related to their alteration due to exploitation of the resources, with specific focus on fisheries resources.

- Preservation of the populations and ecosystems in view of the European legislation on marine environment (CFP, MSFD).

- Presentation of the methodologies for the monitoring. 

- Presentation of the methods for the evaluation of the status of exploited resources and ecosystems.

- Application of the methodologies of monitoring and resource status evaluation in selected case studies.

- Presentation of the fisheries management tools currently used.

Module 2

- Identification of fishing gears.

- Sorting and taxonomic identification of catch samples (fish, crustaceans, cephalopods). 

- Biological analyses of the catches: sexual maturity, sex identification, fecundity, age, condition indices.

- Sorting and taxonomic identification of benthos.

- Estimation of fish age through otoliths.

- Dissection of stomachs for diet analyses.

Readings/Bibliography

Power-point presentations and other teaching material will be provided during the course and, together with the personal notes, are sufficient to prepare the examination. The books listed below are not necessary, but of support for potential further deepening. Other bibliographical recommendations will be provided during the classes.

Marine Fisheries Ecology. Jennings S, Kaiser MJ, Reynolds JD. Blackwell Publishing 2001.

Elementi di biologia della pesca. Bombace G, Lucchetti A. Edagricole 2011.

Marine Ecology: Processes, systems and impacts. Kaiser MJ, Attrill MJ, Jennings S, Thomas DN, Barnes DKA, Brierley AS, Polunin NVC, Raffaelli DG. Oxford University Press 2011 (second edition).

Teaching methods

The course is comprised of 6 CFU: 3 CFU are covered by prof. Michele Casini (Module 1) and 3 CFU by prof. Marco Stagioni (Module 2). The course is developed around different teaching methodologies and requires the active participation of the students.

For Module 1, lessons of frontal teaching where the main concepts and case studies are presented. Exercises in computer lab about the evaluation of populations status using real data, where the teacher provides a detailed explanation and a demonstration of the exercises that the students then perform independently.

For Module 2, lessons of frontal teaching where the main concepts are presented. Exercises in laboratory with the use of biological samples.

A visit to the Laboratory of Marine Biology and Fisheries of Fano is planned at mid course.

The attendance at this course requires the previous participation for all students in the Modules 1 and 2 of the Health and Safety Training for Study and Research Areas, [https://elearning-sicurezza.unibo.it/], in modality e-learning.

Assessment methods

The exam is oral and covers all subjects of the course, of both Modules. The final mark is the arithmetic mean of the 2 Modules and is expressed in 30ies. 

The dates of the exams will be posted on the site Almaesami. Students can book for the examination exclusively using the procedures provided by the online system Alma Exams (https://almaesami.unibo.it/almaesami/welcome.htm ) respecting the given deadlines.

The planning and methods of the exams can change depending on Covid-19 situation.

Teaching tools

Black- or whiteboard, projector, power-point presentations for the frontal teaching. Computers and laboratory tools for the practical exercises supported by explanatory documents provided by the teachers. Scientific articles and other literature suggested by the teachers.

Students who are affected by a learning disability (DSA) and in need of special strategies to compensate for it are kindly requested to contact the Teacher, to be referred to the colleagues in charge and get proper advice and instructions.

Office hours

See the website of Michele Casini

See the website of Marco Stagioni