Biology 3714
Estuarine Fish Ecology Field Course

Course at the Bonne Bay Marine Station, Norris Point, Newfoundland

Instructors        Dr. Joe Wroblewski, Memorial University
                        Dr. David Methven, University of New Brunswick

Dates               19 June to 1 July, 2006

Credit               3 credit hours

Description       Community structure, function and distribution of northern coastal fishes in fjords and estuarine environments. Emphasis on sampling, field techniques, taxonomy, quantitative characterization, adaptations and habitat relationships. A comparative approach will contrast fish communities from deepwater, estuarine, near shore and freshwater habitats. 

Goals               By the end of the course you will have an understanding of how coastal fishes have adapted to the diverse environments they occupy. You will be able to identify common characteristics of the five classes of fishes and identify local estuarine and coastal fishes to species. You will know how to collect relevant information from individual fish to better understand their ecology and life history, be able to construct a dichotomous key to distinguish among the species you’ve caught, and be able to characterize various fish assemblages using percent similarity and diversity indices.

Evaluation         Mid term 10%, Lab write-ups 10%, Research project 25%, Field book notes 10%, Presentation 10%, Final 35%

Photo Gallery From June 2006