Seafood Sustainability: Practices and Perspectives

Overfishing has become one of the most significant drivers in the decline of wild fish populations - this compounded with climate-related threats will have potentially detrimental effects on marine ecosystems worldwide. Global fisheries provide a vital economy for many communities, especially in developing nations. The goal of fisheries management is to provide sustainable resources with social, economic, and biological benefits. However, even with well managed fisheries many unreported, illegal, and mislabeled catches threaten the effectiveness of conservation practices. This course will give a foundation in fisheries biology, specifically the biology and management of commercially important freshwater and marine fishes of the Eastern Pacific such as tuna, salmon, halibut, “cod” and yellowtail. We will also explore sustainable seafood practices.