Syllabus

Catalog description

Principles of fisheries management and methods for assessment and analysis of fish populations and aquatic habitats. Two hours lecture.

Textbook and course material

There is no required textbook for this class, supplementary PDFs will be provided as needed and available on the course Blackboard site

Course background

Contemporary fisheries managers require diverse skills and abilities to properly identify management actions and alternatives, as well as implement management programs. Additionally, developing monitoring programs for fish, habitat, and anglers is essential to evaluate management actions. Fisheries professionals also must:

• Possess and understand the analytical tools necessary to interpret analyses of fisheries data and use the results to inform management and conservation decisions.
• Be able to communicate with natural resource professionals and non-technical stakeholders
• Collaborate with peers from multiple disciplines to successfully complete projects
• Do more with less (e.g., reduced budgets, reduced personnel)
• Do more with more (e.g., big data, data loggers, mark recapture)
• Do your work safely, ethically, and under public scrutiny
• Interact with an increasingly informed public through social media, stakeholder meetings, and daily interactions
• Allow public participation in decision making and management processes

Course objectives

This course will provide you with a foundation of fisheries management and knowledge of commonly-used analytical techniques employed by fisheries managers to manage fisheries

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

1. Define different fishery types, history and application
2. Compare and evaluate common practices used to manage and conserve fishes, fisheries and their habitats
3. Understand population dynamics and the effects of harvest and propagation
4. Calculate dynamic rate functions (i.e., recruitment, growth, and mortality) and population dynamics of fish populations
5. Interpret and evaluate stock assessment techniques and their application to management and conservation
6. Explain common population indices, including their assumptions, benefits, and limitations
7. Understand contemporary management of natural resources

Academic misconduct

Academic integrity is serious and all disciplinary action will be taken in the event of academic dishonesty. Mississippi State has an approved Honor Code that applies to all students. The code is as follows: “As a Mississippi State University student, I will conduct myself with honor and integrity at all times. I will not lie, cheat, or steal, nor will I accept the actions of those who do.” Upon accepting admission to Mississippi State University, a student immediately assumes a commitment to uphold the Honor Code, to accept responsibility for learning, and to follow the philosophy and rules of the Honor Code. Student will be required to state their commitment on examinations, research papers, and other academic work. Ignorance of the rules does not exclude any member of the MSU community from the requirements or the processes of the Honor Code. For additional information, please visit: http://honorcode.msstate.edu/policy.

Cell Phone Policy

In accordance with Academic Operating Policy 10.08 (approved July 12, 2005) and in order to limit classroom disruptions, as well as to protect against academic misconduct, the use by students of cell phones, messaging devices and other electronic devices is prohibited. In this class, students are required to put cell phone in the silent mode and stow in backpack while attending class and laboratory sessions. Cell phones may be used as calculators or clocks at any time during class and laboratory sessions.

Professional Expectations for Students in the Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture Program

http://www.cfr.msstate.edu/wildlife/documents/professional_expectations.pdf

Assessment of student progress

Important Dates

• Last day to drop a class without a grade : Tuesday August 22, 2017
• Last day to add a class: Wednesday August 23, 2017
• Last day to drop course with a “W” grade: Monday October 9, 2017
• Last day to withdraw from the university: Friday November 10, 2017
• Final exam (8am-11am): Tuesday December 5, 2017

Students with Disabilities

Accommodations are collaborative efforts between students, faculty and Disability Support Services (DSS). Students with accommodations approved through DSS are responsible for contacting the faculty member in charge of the course prior to or during the first week of the term to discuss accommodations. Students who believe they are eligible for accommodations but who have not yet obtained approval through DSS should contact DSS immediately at (662) 325-3335.

Title IX

MSU is committed to complying with Title IX, a federal law that prohibits discrimination, including violence and harassment, based on sex. This means that MSU’ s educational programs and activities must be free from sex discrimination, sexual harassment, and other forms of sexual misconduct. If you or someone you know has experienced sex discrimination, sexual violence and/or harassment by any member of the University community, you are encouraged to report the conduct to MSU’ s Director of Title IX/EEO Programs at 325-8124 or by e-mail to titleix@msstate.edu. Additional resources are available at:

• http://www.msstate.edu/web/security/title9-12.pdf, or
• http://students.msstate.edu/sexualmisconduct/

Tentative Lecture and Lab Schedule

Laboratory time subject to change with instructor availability; laboratory sessions may be used to make up for missed lectures due to weather and instructor availability.