Back to Large Marine Ecosystems: Assessment and Management
University of Cape Town

Large Marine Ecosystems: Assessment and Management

Focusing on the Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs) of the world, this course will introduce the concept and practice of ecosystem-based management. LMEs occupy areas of coastal ocean at least 200 000 km² or greater in size. These coastal waters produce 12.6 trillion USD in ecosystem goods and services annually and are vitally important for billions of people around the globe. Because LMEs are bounded by ocean features and are globally linked, management of human activities needs to occur in an integrated fashion across political boundaries and economic sectors (e.g. fishing, shipping, energy, tourism, and mining). This represents a new type of management, approached by shifting from single-sector based to multi-sector assessment and management, within the spatial domain of the world's 66 Large Marine Ecosystems. There is global high-level support for this new approach and in this course, we will introduce the concepts and tools for assessing and managing LMEs. Together, leaders and experts in a global movement to recover and sustain the goods and services of LMEs will introduce you to the mechanisms used for assessment (Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis), planning and implementation (Strategic Action Programme). Based on recent activities in implementation and practice of the LME approach projects around the globe, we will showcase examples of effective management at this scale, and highlight the challenges and issues. By the end of the online course, we hope you will be able to actively use this knowledge to advance sustainable development of the world’s oceans. The course was created with the support and input of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), UNESCO-IOC and IW:LEARN.

Status: Natural Resource Management
Status: Socioeconomics
IntermediateCourse25 hours

Featured reviews

EO

5.0Reviewed Jan 31, 2019

I have enjoyed every bit of this course. It's very interesting and engaging. I've learnt a lot. Thank you.

DK

5.0Reviewed Apr 17, 2020

The course is great for beginners. The assignments are not too daunting, but rigorous enoughSome more addition in global perspectives section would be great.

D

5.0Reviewed Feb 10, 2021

Excellent course. Well structured and laid out. Learned alot and gained a new respect for those trying to run LME's

TC

5.0Reviewed Jan 16, 2019

This course deepened my understanding of large marine ecosystems, how they should be assessed and the best practices/strategies that should be implemented in order to successfully manage them.

SJ

4.0Reviewed Jul 8, 2021

The marking criteria only really allowed for pass or fail, particularly the last assignment. It was almost impossible to award a mark between 80-100%. The mark scheme should be reviewed.

RA

5.0Reviewed Jan 28, 2021

It helped me to learn new things and further the knowledge of my current work. Thank you so much!

RN

4.0Reviewed Jun 3, 2020

Course was not quite what I expected, but overall very good, demanding, and a good learning experience.

IB

5.0Reviewed Aug 27, 2020

Extremely interesting, and useful in mapping a better future for the planet. Only problem is the peer review process.

AS

5.0Reviewed Jun 28, 2020

Professor Moloney & Dr. Sherman made a truly eye-opening course. Short enough to fit into most schedules, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Highly recommend.

FA

5.0Reviewed Nov 19, 2021

Thank you for everyone works to make this course which gives many information in marine environment

DO

4.0Reviewed Mar 14, 2022

This is a really good overview of LME management. There is a lot of information presented and therefore useful material for future research and work. Liked it

DL

5.0Reviewed Sep 25, 2018

Great course but the volume levels of the videos need to be adjusted. Difficult to hear even at maximum volume.

All reviews

Showing: 20 of 108

Muhammad Arifur Rahman
5.0
Reviewed Jul 27, 2020
Lucius Julian
5.0
Reviewed Oct 23, 2020
Sabine
4.0
Reviewed May 30, 2018
Karen See
4.0
Reviewed May 30, 2020
Nina Blom
4.0
Reviewed May 20, 2021
Sonia Ruseler
4.0
Reviewed Aug 16, 2020
ranu pachauri
1.0
Reviewed May 5, 2020
Stephanie Journo
5.0
Reviewed Apr 18, 2025
morad hasan
5.0
Reviewed Nov 21, 2021
Melissa Bruzzano
5.0
Reviewed Jun 24, 2024
Patrick Oswald
5.0
Reviewed Jan 5, 2021
Amy Palmer Newton
5.0
Reviewed Jun 17, 2020
Arturo Muñoz
5.0
Reviewed Jun 25, 2018
Paul Naysmith
5.0
Reviewed Feb 23, 2021
Tanvir KLION
5.0
Reviewed Feb 2, 2022
Loyiso Victor
5.0
Reviewed Jun 28, 2018
Andrés Torres
5.0
Reviewed May 24, 2021
RAAD KURDI ABU JUGHIDA
5.0
Reviewed Dec 26, 2019
Daniela Castillo
5.0
Reviewed Jul 4, 2021
Matt Axel
5.0
Reviewed Mar 9, 2021