FISH 501

Ecosystem Modelling with Ecopath with Ecosim

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Credit Value: 3 Credits

Schedule: Summer Term, 2026

Description: The course is focused on how ecosystem modelling, notably Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE) modelling framework, can be used to address scientific questions within Ecosystem Based Management (EBM). Underlying theories of the software will be introduced, with emphasis on its practical implementation.

The course will take place over a three-week period, May 11th – 29th; classes run from 9:00AM – 12:00PM. In total, there will be 14 days of classes. The course has been drastically restructured from previous years, with the following plan:

  • Week 1: Introduction to EwE, including Ecopath mass-balance modelling, Ecosim time-dynamic modelling, Ecospace temporal-spatial dynamic modelling, and value chain modelling – to value social, economic, and ecological trade-offs.
  • Week 2: Evaluating research and policy questions related to fisheries management and EBM.
  • Week 3: Generating and refining research and policy questions related to fisheries management and EBM.

Assessment: Course content is intensive and daily; there will be no formal assignments but you will be asked to give a presentation of your model and prepare a brief write-up for it.

Textbook and Materials: We will use the open textbook Ecosystem Modelling with EwE for this course.

You are expected to prepare for classes by reading the materials listed in the course schedule, notably the first week.

This class had a large number of Zoom guest lectures in 2021, the recordings are available on the Ecopath YouTube channel.

Software: We will initially be using the latest EwE 6.7 release for the course, please download it here.

EwE is a free, open source program, and it (still) requires Microsoft Windows to operate. On iOS/Linux, it is necessary to use virtualization software and install Windows – any recent version is fine. There are several virtualization software packages that can be used, including open source packages (i.e. free versions). Oracle’s free VirtualBox may work, but we recommend Parallels Desktop as a smoother and simpler option (it is also the only option if you have an iOS divide with Apple M-Chips). It can be purchased with a 50% educational discount and 14-day free trial at https://www.parallels.com/plans/education/. 

We are working on securing funding for a systems-independent (for PC, iOS, and Linux) version of EwE.

Please contact the course instructor with questions or concerns regarding software installation before classes start.

Course Instructor: Dr. Villy Christensen