Plenty of Fish in the Sea?
8:00 Seminar
Seafood and fisheries play an integral role in societies world-wide. Fishes are featured not only on menus, but also in art and literature. They provide the majority of protein for over a billion people and are central to economy and cultural identity alike. It was once thought that the vastness of the ocean held plenty of seafood for all. We now know that the sea does not yield an inexhaustible supply of seafood and that many populations are depleted. The causes of and solutions to this problem, however, are complex when the needs of both humans and fishes are considered. The objective of this course is to foster some understanding of the science, economics, culture, and politics of fishing and fisheries management. Students will consider the issues from multiple view points to gain an appreciation for complexity and to become better seafood consumers and more informed voters. This course builds upon the Pacific Seminar I theme of Human Relationship to the Natural World.