This course explores management and conservation of coastal resources through an integrated social-ecological system perspective. This perspective sees people as part of and not apart from ecosystems. In the current era of human-dominated ecosystems and a biosphere shaped by human actions from local to global scales, such a perspective is rapidly gaining ground worldwide in science, is given a strong priority among funding organizations, and is in demand in the science-policy-practice interface.

This course exposes students to the overall process of fisheries management with a focus on population dynamics and stock assessment. It's structured to use both lectures and discussions around theoretical concepts and hands-on real case studies to insure theory is grounded in practical applications. Real data sets from fisheries organizations working in Belize, and those provided by the students are used to provide students with a basic understanding of: How fisheries models work in theory and in practic; Fisheries data, data collection methods, and data evaluation techniques; Data requirements, assumptions and interpretation of a number of conventional assessment methods (e.g. length-based, production, and catch at age models); The role of stock assessment in fisheries science and biological reference points used in fisheries management (e.g. MSY) and how data and mathematical models can be used to inform management policies; andAlternative approaches in data limited situations and fisheries management in developing countries.

This course reviews theoretical and practical issues related to designing, implementing and evaluating fisheries catch-share systems. Some of the topics that will be discussed include distributional and efficiency aspects of different catch-share allocation systems, the functioning of quota markets, the use of bioeconomic models, and the design of enforcement policies.

This short course reviews the theory and practice of the use of property rights to manage fisheries in developing countries, with an special emphasis in Latin America. The course reviews the theoretical foundations of the use of property rights, in particular in the context of developing countries, such as the importance of illegal and unreported fishing and the use of taxes to fund management activities. Examples are examined using simulations to show the effects of these topics on quota markets. The class also reviews the experience and the lessons learnt with the use of individual transferable quota in Chile and Perú, since they were first implemented in 1991, the fisheries reforms in 2001 in Chile and 2009 in Perú, and the most recent update of the fisheries law in Chile in 2013. The class also examines how the legislation evolved and adapted to the context of developing countries. Finally, the experiences with TURFs and small scale aquaculture in Chile and Perú are explored.

This seminar examines the regulations that serve as the legal underpinning for marine resources management – from the rules and institutions, to the legal authority and mechanisms. Lectures and guest speakers will focus on providing a basic understanding of the legal framework for ocean management in the Latin American context. Case studies will include regulatory examples from small-scale fisheries (including catch-shares and self-governance), MPA zoning, and transboundary fisheries governance. Students will participate in class discussions with a selection of guest speakers and craft an individual memo and a group memo on specific regulatory topics throughout this weeklong seminar. 

This seminar course explores key social and environmental themes related to the growing contribution of aquaculture to world food production. Students interact with world-renowned experts from aquaculture science, management, and industry, leading discussions that examine global seafood production, environmental sustainability, the capacity for ecosystem and fisheries enhancement, and the socio-economic implications and impacts of multiple types of aquaculture. The discussions focus on the development of aquaculture in Latin America through speakers with expertise in that region. 

The objective of this course is to develop a practical understanding of the main concepts of resource economics, their applications to fisheries, and their implementation in real life settings of fisheries management. The course is structured in way that the theoretical concepts covered in the classroom will be applied in the context of real-life management challenges. At the end of the course, students should have a clear understanding of (i) the linkages between fisheries biology and the economic incentives from a user’s perspective, (ii) the sources of conflict and inefficiency, and (iii) the methodologies to overcome management challenges.