Dr. Olaf Jensen presented his current research about the status of global fisheries, local New Jersey fisheries, and current fishery science, in the January 19, 2012 Ocean Lecture & Educators’ Night. Following the lecture, we shared fish and fishery related lesson plans and discussed how to bring these topics into your classrooms/clubs.
Below we have included a summary of Dr. Jensen, compiled Background Materials, posted the Ocean Lecture, and provided adapted Lesson Plans to teach on the topics of Fisheries, Fish Science, and Black Sea Bass.
Enjoy! The MARE Team
Dr. Olaf Jensen
Dr. Olaf Jensen-
Dr. Olaf Jensen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences at Rutgers University. The Jensen lab studies fisheries and aquatic ecosystems – including marine, estuarine, and freshwater environments. Their research ranges from field studies of endangered salmonids in Mongolia to meta-analysis of stock assessment data to better understand fish population dynamics. If you’re interested in learning more about what they do visit the Research page on the lab website.
Background Materials-
We have compiled the following materials as optional background information if you wish to read about the topics that were covered during the event and included in the adapted lesson plans below.
Fisheries Information:
Ending Overfishing and Rebuilding Stocks (Kathy Collins 2009)
Role of Stock Assessment in Fisheries Management (Ray Hilborn and Carl Walters 1992)
Sustainable U.S. Seafood: A Journey from Sea to Ocean – Fishery Management (NOAA Fisheries Service 2011)
Sustainable U.S. Seafood: A Journey from Sea to Ocean – Fishery Stakeholders (NOAA Fisheries Service 2011)
Fish Science Information:
Sustainable U.S. Seafood: A Journey from Sea to Ocean – Fishery Science (NOAA Fisheries Service 2011)
Fish Tagging Techniques (Science News: Delta Stewardship Council 2010)
Black Sea Bass Information:
Black Sea Bass – FishWatch: U.S. Seafood Facts (NOAA Fisheries 2011)
Science Presentation & Evening Program-
For the Ocean Lecture, we combined the audio file with the slides to create a slidecast (slide show + podcast) for the presentation.
If you are interested in downloading the presentation slides, click here: Dr. Jensen’s Presentation
Lesson Plans-
We have compiled additions and adaptations to previous lesson plans to incorporate the fisheries, fish science, Black Sea Bass information that was presented during Dr. Jensen’s talk into your classroom.
Fishing: Students explore what fish are in the ocean, how they are caught, and fun marine phrases. (Elementary School) 5.3.2.C.3 – Humans can change natural habitats in ways that can be helpful or harmful for the plants and animals that live there. Net Gain, Net Effects: Students describe the evolution of fishing techniques and interpret the effects of the changes in technology on fish populations. (Middle & High School) 5.3.6.C.1 – Various human activities have changed the capacity of the environment to support some life forms. Rate Your Plate: What is “Sustainable” Seafood?: Students learn the definition of sustainable seafood, examine 6 fisheries, and explain why it is important to be informed seafood consumers. (Middle & High School) 5.3.6.G.3 – Personal activities impact the local and global environment. Seafood Smorgasbord: Students learn about various types of seafood and discuss what they know about fishing and fisheries. (Middle & High School) 5.3.6.G.3 – Personal activities impact the local and global environment. The World Fisheries Conference: After researching specific fisheries, students present to the class recommendations to protect the fisheries and maintain the biological health of the oceans. (Elementary & Middle School) 5.3.6.C.1 – Various human activities have changed the capacity of the environment to support some life forms.Fisheries Lesson Plans:
5.3.12.C.2 – Stability in an ecosystem can be disrupted by natural or human interactions.
5.4.8.G.2 – Investigations of environmental issues address underlying scientific causes and may inform possible solutions.
5.3.12.C.2 – Stability in an ecosystem can be disrupted by natural or human interactions.
5.4.8.G.2 – Investigations of environmental issues address underlying scientific causes and may inform possible solutions.
5.3.12.C.2 – Stability in an ecosystem can be disrupted by natural or human interactions.
5.3.12.C.2 – Stability in an ecosystem can be disrupted by natural or human interactions.
Charting Fish Behavior & Movement: Using a classroom aquarium, or visiting an aquarium, students use observation skills to learn about fish behavior and movement patterns. (Elementary & Middle School) 5.3.2.C.1 – Organisms interact and are interdependent in various ways. It Takes All Kinds: Students observe an array of forms, colors, and shapes of different fish to predict the habitat and lifestyle to which the fish is adapted to live in. (Elementary, Middle, & High School) 5.3.2.B.2 – Animals have various ways of obtaining food and water. Fish Formation: A student is transformed into a fish as the class explores the many similarities among different fish species to help them adapt to living in the water. (Elementary & Middle School) 5.3.4.E.2 – In any ecosystem, some populations of organisms thrice and grow, some decline, and others do not survive at all.Fish Science Lesson Plans:
5.3.4.A.1 – Living organisms interact with and cause changes in their environment.
5.3.4.C.1 – Organisms can only survive in environments in which their needs are met.
5.3.8.D.3 – Characteristics of organisms are influences by heredity and/or their environment.
5.3.12.E.3 – The principles of evolution (including natural selection and common descent) provide a scientific explanation for the history of life on Earth as evidenced in the fossil record and in the similarities that exist within the diversity of existing organisms.
5.3.6.D.3 – Distinguish between inherited and acquired traits/characteristics.
5.3.8.E.1 – Individual organisms with certain traits are more likely than others to survive and have offspring in particular environments.
Black Sea Bass Encounter: Students simulate field researchers as they collect, analyze, and discuss data on local populations of Black Sea Bass. (Elementary, Middle & High School) 5.3.2.C.3 – Humans can change natural habitats in ways that can be helpful or harmful for the plants and animals that live there. Black Sea Bass Fishing Symposium: Students explore the socio-economic side of the Black Sea Bass fishery as they represent views of different stakeholders and discuss fisheries management options. (Middle & High School) 5.3.6.G.3 – Personal activities impact the local and global environment. Where Are the Black Sea Bass?: Students interpret and make inferences about changes in fish populations from actual data and analyze the effects of commercial and recreational fishing on the population. (Middle & High School) 5.3.6.C.1 – Various human activities have changed the capacity of the environment to support some life forms.Black Sea Bass Lesson Plans:
5.3.6.C.1 – Various human activities have changed the capacity of the environment to support some life forms.
5.3.8.E.1 – Individual organisms with certain traits are more likely than others to survive and have offspring in particular environments.
5.3.12.C.2 – Stability in an ecosystem can be disrupted by natural or human interactions.
5.4.8.G.2 – Investigations of environmental issues address underlying scientific causes and may inform possible solutions.
5.3.12.C.2 – Stability in an ecosystem can be disrupted by natural or human interactions.
5.3.12.C.2 – Stability in an ecosystem can be disrupted by natural or human interactions.