Field techniques in fisheries ecology, conservation, and management

Field techniques in fisheries ecology, conservation, and management is a Natural Science course taught by J. Legros.

Course Description
Freshwater ecosystems and their diverse biological communities are among the most imperiled resources in the world. Among freshwater organisms, fish are perhaps the most recognizable, studied, understood, and anthropogenically important fauna. This course will combine fieldwork, site visits, hands-on lab exercises, and classroom discussions to demonstrate common practices in fisheries conservation and management. Topics will include fish identification, habitat measurement and mapping, fish tagging and tracking, fish restoration, and biological assessment of stream ecosystems using fisheries information. We will explore common themes and concepts of freshwater fisheries ecology and gain practical experience in several fisheries conservation and management field techniques. The class will take several fieldtrips to various locations throughout the Pioneer Valley, including local rivers and streams, to view and experience fisheries conservation and management first-hand.