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M6 – Human Influences on the Marine Environment (Part 1)

The ocean feeds us, employs us, entertains us and provides resources we depend upon, but what happens when our use of the marine environment becomes unsustainable?

We'll begin by exploring why marine ecosystems and organisms are so important to us before looking at tourism and ecotourism, including the environmental impacts of visiting some of the world's most incredible marine environments and the strategies used to protect them.

We'll then head into the world of fisheries: why seafood is such an important global resource, what happens when populations are overharvested and how fishing can be made more sustainable. Students will explore everything from quotas, closed seasons and Marine Protected Areas to trawling, purse seining, nets, traps, angling and Fish Aggregating Devices – comparing how different fishing methods work and the environmental problems they can cause. We'll even investigate how fishers find their way around using charts, compasses, GPS, sonar and radar.

Finally, we'll explore aquaculture and ask whether farming marine organisms could help meet our growing demand for food while reducing pressure on wild populations. With real-world case studies, interactive Kahoot quizzes, activities, discussions and plenty of IGCSE exam-style questions throughout, this block encourages students to tackle one of the biggest questions in Marine Science: how can we use the ocean without destroying what we depend upon?

Course Objectives:

By the end of this block, students should be able to:
• Outline the importance of marine ecosystems and organisms to humans and describe ways human activities can affect them.
• Explain the economic importance of tourism and its positive and negative impacts on marine ecosystems.
• Explain the aims of ecotourism and describe strategies used to reduce the environmental impacts of tourism.
• Apply knowledge of tourism and ecotourism to real marine environments and case studies.
• Explain the importance of marine organisms as a food resource for humans.
• Explain why sustainable harvesting of marine organisms is necessary.
• Describe methods used to reduce overfishing, including quotas, closed seasons, restrictions and Marine Protected Areas.
• Describe and compare different commercial fishing methods, including trawling, purse seining, nets, traps and angling.
• Explain the environmental impacts associated with different fishing methods, including bycatch and damage to marine habitats.
• Explain how Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) can increase fish catches.
• Describe the use of navigational aids on boats, including charts, compasses, GPS, sonar and radar.
• Explain what aquaculture is and describe its social, environmental and commercial roles.
• Identify examples of organisms produced through aquaculture and compare open and closed aquaculture systems.
• Describe important considerations and methods involved in successful aquaculture.
• Discuss advantages and disadvantages of aquaculture and its potential role in reducing pressure on wild fish populations.

Specialist Resources Needed:

A detailed equipment list will be provided before the block begins, along with suggested alternatives where appropriate. This block focuses largely on real-world examples, case studies, data interpretation and application of knowledge, so learners will not require lots of specialist practical equipment. Activities may involve simple household or craft materials, maps, charts or other easily accessible resources, with demonstrations provided where appropriate. Learners will also need access to the course worksheets, which will be available on the dashboard. Please don't worry if you don't have specific items – students will be able to fully participate in the live lessons, discussions, activities and exam practice without purchasing specialist equipment.

If you definitely do not require your live space for this course, please opt to cancel your registration through the link in your Zoom confirmation email.
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