MAR 532 - Marine Protected Areas

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are parts of the ocean that are zoned to exclude activities that are potentially detrimental to the ecosystem. Marine Reserves are special types of MPAs in which the harvesting of marine wildlife is prohibited. MPAs are rapidly gaining traction worldwide as a tool to preserve or restore ecosystems, protect endangered species, or sustain nearby commercial and recreational fisheries. This course is designed to provide students with a robust background in the science behind the design, implementation, and expected outcomes of establishing MPAs. The course is largely field-based, and will explore MPA-related issues by traveling to one or more MPAs to learn about the challenges, benefits, and limitations of MPAs for marine conservation from local scientists, managers, and rangers.

3 credits

Grading Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)