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BIOL4301 Fish and fisheries (6 credits) Academic Year 2025
Offering Department Biological Sciences Quota 40
Course Co-ordinator , Biological Sciences
Teachers Involved
Course Objectives - to acquaint students with the principles governing interrelationships among fishes as well as with biotic and abiotic aspects of their environment for an understanding of  population dynamics and multispecies interactions.
- to provide an understanding of how species diversity and selected aspects of their life history are relevant to fishery management challenges, sustainable supply of seafood, and the conservation of threatened species.
- to cover the theoretical and practical aspects of marine fisheries management, fish farming and fish conservation using local, regional and global examples
Course Contents & Topics Introduction to course: phylogenetic, biological and ecological concepts and adaptation. Multispecies interactions in marine and freshwater fish assemblages. Fishery theory; how do fisheries work? Status of the world's capture fisheries; fish stock assessment and fishery management practices using local, regional and global examples. The roles of mariculture and capture fisheries for seafood supply and relationship to capture fisheries. Fishery management and fish conservation. Conclusion: fish biodiversity and fishery production; ethics of fish research and exploitation; climate change and the future of fish and fisheries.
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 understand the basis of fish species diversity in relation to phylogenetic, ecological and biological factors
CLO 2 appreciate the direct and indirect impacts and consequences of human activities on fish species and species assemblages and implications for seafood security
CLO 3 understand of the functioning of fisheries and standards of fisheries assessment, development and management
CLO 4 appreciate the mutual dependency of humans with fished populations in relation to their long-term sustainability
CLO 5 enhance the ability for critical and synthetic thinking and to consider innovative approaches to research and management
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)		 Pass in BIOL3301 or BIOL3303
Course Status with Related Major/Minor /Professional Core 2U000C00 Course not offered under any Major/Minor/Professional core
2021 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Minor in Ecology & Biodiversity ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Minor in Marine Biology ( Disciplinary Elective )
Course to PLO Mapping 2021 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity < PLO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 >
2021 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4,5,6 >
Offer in 2025 - 2026 N        Examination
Offer in 2026 - 2027 N
Course Grade A+ to F
Grade Descriptors
A Demonstrate thorough mastery at an advanced level of extensive knowledge and skills required for attaining all course learning outcomes. Show strong analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, with evidence of original thought, ability to integrate and synthesize information, and ability to apply knowledge to a wide range of complex, familiar and unfamiliar situations. Apply highly effective presentational skills. Strong evidence of clear attention to thoughtful and reflective thinking.
B Demonstrate substantial command of a broad range of knowledge and skills required for attaining at least most of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, integration of materials and ability to apply knowledge to familiar and some unfamiliar situations. Demonstrate effective presentational skills. Evidence of clear attention to thoughtful and reflective thinking.
C Demonstrate general but incomplete command of knowledge and skills required for attaining most of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of some analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to most familiar situations. Apply moderately effective presentational skills. Little evidence of clear attention to thoughtful and reflective thinking.
D Demonstrate partial but limited command of knowledge and skills required for attaining some of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of some coherent and logical thinking, but with limited analytical and critical abilities and little attempt at integration. Show limited ability to apply knowledge to solve problems. Apply limited effectiveness in presentational skills. Lack of attention to thoughtful and reflective thinking.
Fail Demonstrate little or no evidence of command of knowledge and skills required for attaining the course learning outcomes. Lack of analytical and critical abilities, logical and coherent thinking. Show very little or no ability to apply knowledge to solve problems. Organization and presentational skills are minimally effective or ineffective.
Communication-intensive Course N
Course Type Lecture-based course
Course Teaching
& Learning Activities
Activities Details No. of Hours
Field work Field, laboratory, practical and tutorials 36.0
Lectures 24.0
Reading / Self study 100.0
Assessment Methods
and Weighting
Methods Details Weighting in final
course grade (%)		 Assessment Methods
to CLO Mapping
Assignments 30.0 1,2,3,4,5
Examination 60.0 1,2,3,4,5
Test 10.0 3
Required/recommended reading
and online materials		 Hart P. J. B. & Reynolds J. D. (eds): Handbook of Fish Biology and Fisheries (Volumes 1 & 2, Blackwell
Science Ltd, 2002)
G. Helfman, B. Collette and D. Facey: The Diversity of Fishes (Blackwell Science, 1997)
Course Website http://www.biosch.hku.hk/ecology/lsc/
Additional Course Information Offer in alternate year from 2017--2018
This course will be offered subject to a minimum enrollment number and availability of teachers.


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