RFW 281 Techniques in Aquatics and Fisheries II covers the ecology and management of freshwater fish and aquatic ecosystems, including standard field, laboratory, and office techniques used to sample in these ecosystems. The emphasis is on evaluating, assessing and managing freshwater ecosystems in B.C. This material in this course is a continuation of the material in RFW 280.
Prerequisites: ENVR 190 and RFW 280 both with a minimum grade of 60%
Accessibility Services Notice
Students who would like an academic accommodation and who have a documented disability should contact Accessibility Services, if they have not already done so.Course Details| Total number of weeks | 15 |
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| Total Credits | |
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| Total Hours | 75 |
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Typical hours per week breakdown| Lecture | 2 |
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| Lab (lab, field, computer) | 3 |
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Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:
- Recommend, justify, and successfully apply common fisheries sampling techniques to a wide variety of office, laboratory and field situations
- Identify and interpret common issues in fisheries management in B.C., and to a lesser extent, North America
- Collect and interpret water quality data related to thehealth of freshwater ecosystems
- Design studies to assess health of aquatic ecosystems, using indicator organisms (fish and invertebrates) and habitat measurements
- Assess sampling design based on principles of randomization, consistency and representativeness
- Analyze aquatic habitat data and assess the requirements of different aquatic species (fish and invertebrates; continuation from RFW 280)
- Assess barriers to fish movement, determine ecological value of habitat upstream of barrier and recommend improvements to fish passage based on this information
- Describe, recommend and justify specific stream and riparian habitat restoration and rehabilitation techniques
- Recommend land use practices that minimize impacts to aquatic ecosystems and riparian areas, while considering the concerns of society
- Apply understanding of basic fish biology and species specific habitat requirements to the study of fish and aquatic ecosystems
- Assess the quality of aquatic environments based on species present, habitat measurements and water quality parameters
- Calculate common fisheries statistics related to assessing population size and health
- Apply ecological concepts of diversity, sustainability, restoration and rehabilitation to aquatic ecosystems
Teaching and Learning Approach
The course will be comprised of a two hour classroom session, and a three hour lab session, each week.
Classroom sessions may involve traditional lectures, problem-based discussions, worksheets, short videos,
guest speakers, quizzes and examinations.
Lab sessions will occur both inside and outdoors and will entail use of fish, invertebrate, water quality, and
habitat sampling equipment in the field. Inside labs may involve data sheets, worksheets, lab equipment,
computers, use of spreadsheets, word processing, summary of scientific data and writing assignments. Some lab
sessions will comprise an approximately six hour session with one or both sections of the class to accomplish
select tasks.Learning Resources
Required:
No required textbook for this course.
Required Lab Supplies
Leak-free chest waders with wading belt.
Standard personal Field Equipment is necessary as per School Policies including: field vest, hard hat, field
notebook, compass, clinometer, and scientific calculator.
Recommended
McPhail JD, Carveth R. 1996. Field Key to the Freshwater Fishes of British Columbia. Victoria (BC): Resources
Inventory Committee. [Available on line].
Murphy, BR, Willis DW. 1996. Fisheries Techniques, 2nd ed. Bethesda, Maryland: American Fisheries Society.
[Three copies available on reserve in the library (one is an older version) and one is available from the
equipment room for overnight loan].
BC Government Aquatic Ecosystems Task Force. 1997. Fish Collection Methods and Standards. Victoria (BC):
Resources Inventory Committee. [A few copies available for short term loan in the equipment room].Detailed Course Content, Topics, and Sequence Covered
1. Sampling methods
2. Sampling design
3. Diversity
4. Water Quality
5. Stock assessment
6. Fish Biology and Reproduction
7. Reading Week
8. Midterm - 1 hour
9. Guest lecture -- Kootenay Lake rare species
10. Fish Culture
11. Fish Habitat
12. Fisheries Management
13. Easter Monday
14. Pacific Salmon & Review
15. Final ExamAssessment
| Title | Learning Outcomes | Value |
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| Lecture - Fish Identification and Life (quizzes, worksheets) | History 10 | 10% |
| Lecture - Post Lecture Quizzes | 1 - 13 | 10% |
| Lecture - Midterm Examination | 1 - 13 | 15% |
| Lecture - Final Examination Lab - Data sheets, field books, field skills, | 1 - 13 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 | 20 9, 10 |
| worksheets | 11, 12, 13 | 20% |
| Term Report | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11 | 7, 8, 9, 20 |
| Professionalism | 1 | 5% |
| Total | 100% |
Grading Table
Standard Academic and Career Programs Grading Table
| Percentage |
Letter Grade |
GPA |
| 90-100 |
A+ |
4.33 |
| 85-89 |
A |
4.00 |
| 80-84 |
A- |
3.67 |
| 76-79 |
B+ |
3.33 |
| 72-75 |
B |
3.00 |
| 68-71 |
B- |
2.67 |
| 64-67 |
C+ |
2.33 |
| 60-63 |
C |
2.00 |
| 55-59 |
C- |
1.67 |
| 50-54 |
P |
1.00 |
| 0-49 |
F |
0.00 |
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DNW |
0.00 |
See the Academic Calendar for General Information including how to withdraw from course(s) and other regulations.
Disclaimer
Information contained in this course outline is correct at the time of publication. Content of the course is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational, employment and market needs. The instructor will endeavor to provide notice of changes to students as soon as possible. The instructor reserves the right to add or delete material from courses.