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| The Case: |
Turn that Bycatch into Gold |
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As an enthusiastic intern with the National Marine Fisheries Service, you are offered a chance to experience the world of commercial fishing firsthand. You join a boat and it's crew for a 12 day cruise, and your job is to observe operations and help the crew as needed.
The skipper promptly puts your intellect and education to full advantage and sets you to work shoveling the bycatch overboard after a new catch has been dumped on the deck. Leaning on your shovel while the skipper visits the head, it occurs to you that one of the species you've been tossing to the gulls might form the basis for a new fishery. At least researching such a venture wouldn't make your back ache like this! You resolve that, as soon as you get off of this stinking boat, you're going to pitch your idea to your boss back at NMFS.
Case Author:
Peter Nelson Emory University:Center for Science Education
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Case Analysis
1. Verify your initial identification of the organism using a dichotomous key
2. Use library resources (electronic databases, SCI, reference personnel) to locate pertinent primary & secondary literature on the organism to learn about the biology of your target species
3. Synthesize the biological information: what information is relevant to developing a fishery?
4. Applying ecological/management concepts, use simulation modeling (e.g. Demography 4.1) to work up a demonstration of just how sustainable your fishery will be and what management steps may be necessary to keep it sustainable
5. Integrate socio-economic issues with your biological information when considering this new fishery--for example, is this going to attract and support operators of small vessels from local ports or will it require huge processing ships and fleets of catch boats to make the operation pay?
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Option: Include a know / need to know chart like the one below:
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What do you know?
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What do you need to know?
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Learning Goals
Goal(s)
1.Identify the organism (learn/practice the use of a dichotomous key).
2.Research its life history, distribution, and ‘catchability’ (library research techniques, review primary & secondary literature, apply basic concepts in population ecology / fisheries, and model this using some form of simulation software).
3.Synthesize the information acquired; what’s relevant and what isn’t?
4.Write a well-crafted and convincing proposal for your boss integrating management and socio-economic perspectives
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Standards
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Investigations and Activities
Required:
1. Identify your organism using the keys provided.
2. Library search of basic information on the biology of the organism.
3. Use Demography 4.1 [possibly SPATIAL or ALLOC from FAO, ECOPATH from UBC, FAST from Auburn, POPULUS...?] to run a simulation model on the population dynamics of your organism under different forms of fishing pressure.
Potential (this is only a list of possible investigations—you’re encouraged to come up with your own):
1. Interview commercial fishers
2. Talk to Loan Officer at a bank
3. Research the history of a comparable fishery (e.g. Orange Roughy)--valuable lessons available here!
4. Discuss with a fishery management scientist
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Resources
Aquatic Fisheries and Life Sciences Abstracts
National Fisherman
Local bank personnel
Aquatic Fisheries and Life Sciences Abstracts
California Dept of Fish & Game
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/
National Marine Fisheries Service
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/
Students will usually obtain additional references or resources
to help answer or explore their questions. |
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Special Data Items
The Love Lab (advice, photos and more!)
http://www.lovelab.id.ucsb.edu/
Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (Fisheries Department)
http://www.fao.org/fi/default.asp
FISHBASE
http://filaman.ifm-geomar.de/search.php?lang=English
Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission
http://www.iattc.org/HomeENG.htm
American Fisheries Society
http://www.fisheries.org/html/index.shtml
1. title.jpg
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Student Products
Proposal to NMFS officer for developing a new fishery. The proposal identifies an "under-utilized" aquatic resource (usually a fish species but not always), and demonstrates the scientific rational for why this species represents a resource that is (1) catchable, (2) sustainable, and (3) marketable. In short, a venture that will provide a new opportunity for commercial fishers, particularly those currently targeting heavily exploited resources.
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Assessment and Evaluation Plan
Students will be required to report to the instructor at each of the following stages—all but the last is entirely casual, no writing necessary, just come by during class time or office hours:
• To verify that you’ve identified your organism correctly
• Propose (to the instructor) at least 5 possible sources of information IN ADDITION TO those required/suggested here
• Report on the basic success or failure in accessing these sources
• Provide a written proposal outlining your plan for a new fishery, why this will be successful (fishers will find it lucrative, management will be feasible, etc.) including evidence from your research (simulation models, similar fisheries, interviews, etc.) and how your new “wonder fish” might be marketed. After all, the finest fish in the world isn’t going to sell if the public isn’t interested!
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Implementation
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Course name:
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Likely sequence in
syllabus:
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Time during term:
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Duration:
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Setting:
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Students in course:
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Collaborative elements:
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Additional notes:
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Credits
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