Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


TITLE Marine Management: Spatial and Resource Perspective

LEVEL 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course



DESCRIPTION This study-unit is an interdisciplinary unit aimed to deliver the main theory, concepts and frameworks of marine management. It examines the various management aspects of the ocean to emphasize its spatial interconnectedness: physically, biologically, climatically, culturally and economically for human society.

This unit describes the Earth's ocean as an entity; the roles that it plays in life on Earth and the problems in its successful long-term management for all of humanity. It examines the conflicts that arise out of the multiple uses of its resources. Management topics will include marine conservation, marine law and policy, marine protected areas, marine spatial planning, maritime enforcement, blue economy concept, role of ocean as climate regulator, maritime transport, food, mineral and petroleum, offshore energy facilities, pollution impacts, hazards and risk management. Geographic, scientific, economic, social and political aspects of each issue will be discussed. Specific case studies, both in the Maltese Islands, in the Mediterranean and Europe and in other parts of the world will be used to illustrate the challenge of linking good scientific data with regulatory and management decisions.

Study-unit Aims:

1. To provide an understanding of the relevant science of ocean as a basis for development of management approaches;
2. To present examples of ocean management issues and responses at local to international level and in both coastal land areas and coastal waters;
3. To foster an awareness of the pressures and hazards acting on the ocean systems (separately and interlinked);
4. To explore, with the help of case-studies, how pressures of use affect oceanic processes and their vulnerability to environmental change.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

1. characterise the interactive relationships between the physical and human systems operating between the marine world and humanity;
2. discuss the existing regulatory frameworks affecting the utilisation of marine space and resources;
3. consider the key stakeholders and policy approaches to marine planning in the Malta, the Mediterranean, Europe and internationally, in managing the ocean sustainably and equitably;
4. explain specific problems of marine management and issues at local, national and international scales.

2. Skills:

1. discuss the significance of the concept of integrated system of ocean management;
2. identify and evaluate contemporary issues and pressures acting on the marine world;
3. assess risks and hazards in the ocean zone and their implications;
4. relate and apply key aspect of policies and strategies in a specific local and regional context;
5. propose options that incorporate multiple perspectives to resolve a complex marine management issue.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main texts:

- Vallega A. 2002. Sustainable Ocean Governance – A Geographical Perspective, Taylor and Francis Library.
- Miyazaki N., Adeel Z., and Ohwada K. 2005. Mankind and the Ocean, United Nations University Press.
- Tundi A. 2010 Ocean Zoning: Making Marine Management More Effective, Earth Scan Series.
- Cicin-Sain, B. and Knecht, R. 1998. Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management: Concepts and Practices, Island Press, Washington DC.

Supplementary Texts:

- MacDonald B.H., Soomai S.S., De Santo E., Wells P.G. (eds.) 2016. Science, Information, and Policy Interface for Effective Coastal and Ocean Management.

STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture, Independent Study & Tutorial

Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Resit Availability Weighting
Presentation (15 Minutes) SEM1 No 30%
Examination (1 Hour) SEM1 Yes 70%

LECTURER/S Ritienne Gauci

The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.