FWR2107 Aqua-Agro Ecology

The aim of this course is to introduce students to Agro-ecological fisheries and aquaculture. With the rapid destruction of aquatic ecosystems, there is need for reversal of this situation. Application of knowledge from agro-ecological fisheries and aquaculture has potential to restore fisheries and aquaculture resources. For example, the integration of the FAO 10 principles of agro-ecology into fisheries and aquaculture would promote efficiency, recycling and enhancing biodiversity. These would in turn stimulate sustainable fish related foods production, protect livelihoods and social systems and promoted responsible fisheries and aquaculture resources governance. These systems allow increased input from a given piece of land or water resource. Farmers can grow crops like rice together with fish increasing supply for carbohydrates and proteins to their families.

Course objectives
By the end of the course, the student will be:

• Able to interpret the meaning of agro-ecological fisheries and aquaculture as a discipline.
• Equipped with the basic concepts of agro-ecological fisheries and aquaculture.
• Equipped with knowledge of integrating aqua agro-ecology  for sustainable  use of aquatic biomass.
• Able to identify the benefits to community of an agro-ecological fisheries and aquaculture system.
• Able to learn about the characteristics of a viable agro ecological fisheries and aquaculture system.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this course, the student should have capacity to:

• Explain the scope of   agro-ecological fisheries and aquaculture as a discipline.
• Apply the concepts and theories used in agro-ecology to fisheries and aquaculture systems.
• Identify the challenges in an agro-ecological fisheries and aquaculture system.
• Identify the benefits that local communities can derive from an agro-ecological fisheries and aquaculture systems.
• Identify a viable agro-ecological fisheries and aquaculture system.