Fisheries and Ecosystem Ecology Lab

Teaching

Population Dynamics (even years)

This course provides instruction in population dynamics and modeling as applied to fishery resources. We examine body growth, mortality, reproduction, predator-prey interactions and other population dynamic models.  Common tools and data in fisheries stock assessment are introduced.  Students will gain familiarity with MS Excel including use of worksheet functions and array formulas, statistical analysis, data manipulation, plotting and Visual Basic for Applications.

Ecosystem Modeling (odd years)

This course introduces students to principles of ecosystem science and modeling and its use in ecosystem-based fisheries management.  We use the Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE) suite of modelling tools for lab exercises.  Students develop a model, access the EwE wiki and Fishbase.org, apply empirical formulae to generate input parameters, balance Ecopath and tune Ecosim model dynamics.  Students learn specialized routines such as the optimal policy search, network analysis, Ecotracer, Ecospace, production anomaly search, equilibrium analysis and Monte Carlo sensitivity analysis.  Students are encouraged to apply their term project towards their study topic.