Marine Fisheries and Human Health

Managed marine animal populations are at the interface of the environmental threats to the welfare of the animals themselves and to the potential threats to human health. Marine organisms are especially vulnerable to pollution and disease from natural and anthropogenic source contamination. This 8-credit offering is focused on the fundamentals of disease management for animal health alongside the management of water quality for the health of human consumers. This program covers basic principles of infectious diseases of marine organisms (microbiology and parasitology), water quality as relevant to public health, and toxicology. Managing public health outcomes and food safety is necessarily grounded in an understanding of the health and welfare of the organisms and the waters they live in; students will learn how those are vital to aquaculture and food security. This course is designed specifically for the needs of aquaculture and shellfisheries resources of the Pacific Northwest, and aims to give students a solid foundation for understanding the intersection of public health and market quality of seafoods for the region (as relevant for industry, local communities and government regulations). Introductory-level chemistry or environmental chemistry are highly recommended additional prerequisites for this course. 

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