Marine Fisheries and Human Health

This course will survey the pollutants, pathogens, and parasites that impact populations of marine organisms, and how pollutants, pathogens, and parasites impact the humans that consume those organisms. Topics include water quality, harmful algal blooms, biotoxins, shellfish and marine fish disease, persistent organic pollutants, and microplastics. It will also address some of the ways that fished populations are changed by humans, such as illegal harvest, and that fisheries change populations of humans, such as labor practices. Coursework will combine instructor lectures, guest lectures from professionals, synchronous and asynchronous discussion, primary literature readings, written assignments, a research project and presentation, and field and laboratory experiences. Typical weeks will include 3 hours of synchronous instruction on Tuesdays, and 2 – 3 hours of asynchronous activities including online discussion and project work. There will also be 5 synchronous meetings of 4 – 6 hours on Fridays or Sundays for laboratories and field trips. This course is designed specifically for the needs of aquaculture and for managing the fishery resources of the Pacific Northwest.

This is one of four core courses that comprise the Marine Bioresources Certificate at Evergreen. Core courses can be taken in any order.