SPEC4000 Special Topics: Tropical Aquaculture in Philippines

Instructor:  Audrie-Jo M^cConkey
Office: 157 Haley Institute
Office Phone: 902-893-3951
Email: amcconkey@dal.ca
Office Hours: email appointment

NOTE: This is a tentative outline, subject to change

Class Time:
Required Preparatory- Collaborative Online International Learning lectures (March -April) 9:00-11:00pm AST.

The experiential portion of this course will be offered over a two-week period in Ilocos Notre, Philippines in partnership with Mariano Marcos State University.

Course Description:
This is an opportunity to study a special topic in the area of animal science or aquaculture as defined by an individual student, group of students or faculty. The course is conducted by tutorials, assigned readings, assignments, field trips and/or other appropriate activities. The special topics would normally be supervised by a faculty or staff member associated with the Animal Science program or the Aquaculture program and approved by the department head.

PREREQUISITES: Two years of full-time study at a post-secondary institution (normally 60 degree credit hours), and permission of the instructor

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

The objective of this course is to provide experiential learning and hands-on understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities in tropical fisheries and aquaculture within the Philippine context. Students will:

• Immerse in Local Practices: Be exposed to the diverse tropical aquaculture practices prevalent in the Philippines particular to Northern Region, allowing observation, engagement, and understanding of the intricacies within local practices.
• Facilitate Knowledge Transfer: Foster a two-way exchange of knowledge and best practices between international participants and local counterparts, promoting a collaborative learning environment that benefits both parties.
• Gain Hands-on Experience: Provide practical, hands-on experience in key aspects of tropical aquaculture, including species-specific farming techniques on tilapia, catfish, and invertebrates, as well as coastal community engagement in their fishing activities.
• Gain Cultural Understanding: Encourage cultural immersion by integrating students into the local communities, fostering cross-cultural understanding and appreciation for the socio-economic aspects influencing fisheries and aquaculture practices.

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Exercise through experiential learning tropical aquaculture practices including:

• Tilapia culture and breeding
• Induced spawning and early stage rearing of African catfish
• Oyster Farming and Culture Methods
• Wild collection of Milkfish Fry

2. Exchange relationships with local aquaculture students to foster international knowledge in the field of fisheries and aquaculture;

3. Understand wild fishery dynamics and the connection to aquaculture through:

• Wild collection of Milkfish Fry
• Beach seine fishing (Panagdaklis) along Currimao Bay

4. Gain cultural insights towards Ilocano and Filipino in general through cultural immersions and appreciation to aspects influencing fisheries and aquaculture practices.

Textbooks and Additional Materials
No textbook required.

There will be additional required readings posted on the Brightspace site.

Course Requirements and Grading:

International attendance at Ilocos Notre, Philippines in partnership with Mariano Marcos State University is mandatory to complete the course.

Tests: 10% of final grade. Test based on lecture material provided through Collaborative Online Learning. Test will be online during a synchronous period. Completed prior to departure.

Assignments: 40% of final grade. Four assignments (each worth 10%). Reports will cover: 1. Tilapia production; 2. Catfish breeding; 3. Oyster production; 4. Milkfish rearing.

Report: 15% of final grade. Report encompasses overall learned aspects of tropical fisheries and aquaculture within the Philippine context.

Presentation: 10% of final grade. Topics will be assigned and students will present within their group virtually.

Final Exam: 20% of final grade. Final exam will be synchronous covering all course material with the date selected following return from Philippines.

Late or missed assignments must be accompanied by the Student Declaration of Absence form:

https://cdn.dal.ca/content/dam/dalhousie/pdf/campuslife/Health%20and%20wellness/FINAL%20Student%20Declaration%20of%20Absence%20Form.pdf

(planning is still in progress, final itinerary TBA)

1. Hands-on Activities on:

• Tilapia culture and breeding.
• Induced spawning and early stage rearing of African catfish.
• Oyster Farming and Culture Methods.
• Wild collection of Milkfish Fry.
• Beach seine fishing (Panagdaklis) along Currimao Bay.
• Fieldtrip in Research Centers (BFAR Region 1 Freshwater and Marine Aquaculture Centers).

2. Cultural immersion and field trips within Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur.