FISH 506E

A History of Fisheries

Connect to UBC Calendar

Schedule: Not offered, 2025/2026

Prerequisites, Restrictions, and Notes: Some prior knowledge of fisheries and fishing gear (such as content covered in FISH 520) will be useful.

Description:

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
– Santayana, The Life of Reason (1905) 

This multi-disciplinary course examines the history of human fishing from ancient times, in order to understand its impacts on natural ecosystems, biodiversity, human communities, and sustainability. Focused on the development of fishing technology, the course is illustrated with many examples and case studies, both world-wide and within BC. Students will learn how to make a net!

This course will include lectures, discussion sessions, students seminars, and a formal debate. We may have guest lectures from historians and environmentalists.

Assessment: Based on multiple-choice tests, mini research projects, and an essay on the debate topic. There will be no formal exams.

Textbook and Materials:

There is no required textbook; we recommend The Unnatural History of the Sea by Callum Roberts (2008). Island Press.

Course Instructor: Dr. Tony Pitcher