Overview
The major conservation problems faced by marine mammals, and the scientific methods used to quantify, reduce and avoid such impacts. Case studies are used to study integration of science and management. The paper focuses on science, including the biological features of marine mammals that make them relatively vulnerable (e.g. long-lived, slow reproducing), but also touches on the social and political dimensions of marine mammal conservation.
About this paper
| Paper title | Conservation Biology of Marine Mammals |
|---|---|
| Subject | Zoology |
| EFTS | 0.1667 |
| Points | 20 points |
| Teaching period | Not offered in 2026, expected to be offered in 2028 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,627.83 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Eligibility
- The paper requires a basic background in biology or marine science.
- Contact
- Teaching staff
Professor Bruce Robertson (Paper coordinator)
Associate Professor Will Rayment- Paper Structure
- The first part of the paper introduces students to the range of threats to marine mammals, including fishing, whaling, climate change and marine mining. The second half of the paper focuses on scientific tools used to solve these problems. These include population surveys, monitoring bycatch in fisheries, photographic identification of individuals to estimate survival and reproductive rates and molecular techniques. The paper includes two case studies that bring together the threats and scientific tools that have been discussed in detail in the paper.
- Textbooks
Textbooks are not required for this paper.
The course material refers to recently published research in scientific journals.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Environmental literacy, Research, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
- Students will gain an understanding of the ecology and conservation of marine mammals
- Skills honed during the paper include gathering and analysing information, posing and answering questions about marine mammal conservation and applying knowledge gained to discuss and solve real-life problems
- Students will also gain an appreciation of the need for and an ability to apply critical thinking, scientific rigour and a systematic approach to science and conservation problems
Overview
The major conservation problems faced by marine mammals, and the scientific methods used to quantify, reduce and avoid such impacts. Case studies are used to study integration of science and management. The paper focuses on science, including the biological features of marine mammals that make them relatively vulnerable (e.g. long-lived, slow reproducing), but also touches on the social and political dimensions of marine mammal conservation.
About this paper
| Paper title | Conservation Biology of Marine Mammals |
|---|---|
| Subject | Zoology |
| EFTS | 0.1667 |
| Points | 20 points |
| Teaching period | Not offered in 2027, expected to be offered in 2028 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Eligibility
- The paper requires a basic background in biology or marine science.
- Contact
- Teaching staff
Professor Bruce Robertson (Paper co-ordinator)
Associate Professor Will Rayment- Paper Structure
The first part of the paper introduces students to the range of threats to marine mammals, including fishing, whaling, climate change and marine mining.
The second half of the paper focuses on scientific tools used to solve these problems. These tools include population surveys, monitoring bycatch in fisheries, photographic identification of individuals to estimate survival, reproductive rates and molecular techniques.
The paper includes two case studies, which bring together the threats and scientific tools discussed in detail in the paper.- Textbooks
Textbooks are not required for this paper.
The course material refers to recently published research in scientific journals.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Environmental literacy, Research, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who succesfully complete ZOOL 418 will:
- Gain an understanding of the ecology and conservation of marine mammals
- Hone skills including the gathering and analysing of information, posing and answering questions about marine mammal conservation and applying knowledge gained to discuss and solve real-life problems
- Gain an appreciation of the need for and an ability to apply critical thinking, scientific rigour and a systematic approach to science and conservation problems