Marine
Conservation


Haida Gwaii Semester in Marine Conservation

Next offering to be decided - Please contact hg.institute@ubc.ca for more information

This program is designed for students from interdisciplinary backgrounds who have completed the first two years of an undergraduate degree. The courses consider marine conservation through both a social and scientific lens, blending classroom instruction with field lectures, western science with traditional knowledge, and theoretical learning with experiential learning . Content examines complex issues relating to marine conservation throughout history, the socio-economic impacts of decision-making, First Nations rights and title, and more.



HGSE 360 - Ocean People, Culture and Tradition

This introductory course of the Haida Gwaii Semester in Marine Conservation will be an in-depth study of Traditional Haida Culture from the ‘pre-contact’ era before 1774, to modern day 21st century Haida Culture. The focus of our learning will be on the relationship between the culture of the Haida people and their marine environment; and traditional and modern approaches to management of marine resources.


HGSE 361 - Fisheries Co-Management of the North Pacific Coast

This course exposes students to concepts of fisheries co-management with a focus on the North Pacific Coast; while also providing examples of other co-management structures regionally and internationally. This course also provides an overview of the historical context of co-management structures in the North Pacific Coast, and court decisions that have become landmarks in the recognition of Aboriginal rights in managing local resources. More specifically, through local guest speakers, this course offers a perspective of traditional fisheries and marine management by the Haida Nation within Haida territorial waters, as well as the local settler fishing community of Haida Gwaii, and representatives of the Province of British Columbia and the Government of Canada.


HGSE 362 - Marine Protected Areas and Marine Spatial Planning

This course is designed to cover two broad marine and coastal planning concepts: 1) a general overview of the key concepts in MSP to illustrate the variety of outcomes possible, and explore specific tools and techniques (addressing governance, ecological, cultural, social and economic aspects) and; 2) examine key elements inherent in MPA and MPA Network design, governance, implementation, implications (i.e., costs and benefits), management, compliance and monitoring.


HGSE 363 - Applications in Marine Conservation

Building on course experiences throughout the semester, this class is designed to provide students exposure to field settings and different research techniques in local marine environments. Selected excursions will provide students with opportunities for first-hand experience of local culture, tradition and history, local and community-based fisheries, marine protected areas and outputs from marine spatial planning processes.


HGSE 364 - Haida Gwaii Marine Conservation Seminar

This seminar course will introduce students to key marine conservation issues, pairing broad topics with examples on Haida Gwaii to bring theory into practice. The coursework is designed for students to make connections between academic papers and local experience such that regional or global marine topics are made relevant at the Haida Gwaii scale. Course readings and class discussions will highlight the ecological, cultural, socio-economic and political components of marine conservation and management. In the classroom and on short field trips, students will interact with local decision-makers, stakeholders, scientists, and conservation professionals.