| QEL Code | 843 |
| CPD | 60 |
| Estimated Study Time | 60 Hours |
| Start Date | Anytime |
| Study mode | Online |
| Award type | Diploma |
| Assessment Method | Short answer questions to confirm your knowledge |
Course Accreditation
Quality Endorsed by:
Course fees £399
Unit 1
The ocean as a habitat
Unit 1 of the Marine Conservation Course explores basic oceanography and the marine environment. Learn about the formation of the earth’s oceans, zonal classification of the marine environment. Learn about the physical and chemical properties of seawater and how these properties make the ocean a suitable habitat.
Unit 2
Evolution and marine life adaptation
Learn about common theories of evolution and the history of our understanding of evolutionary biology and the natural mechanisms of self-replication. Learn about the classification of marine organisms and species adaptations in the context of the marine environment.
Unit 3
Fisheries and sustainable fishing
Learn about the flow of energy within a marine food chain. Explore the different fishing techniques and the environmental impact of fisheries and fishing. Learn about sustainable fishing.
Unit 4
Ocean pollution and the impact of global climate change
Learn about various types of pollution and explore the different properties of pollutants & their effects on marine life, wildlife and ecosystems and the different clean up methods. Understand the impact of climate change on the marine environment.
Unit 5
Impact of non-native species
Learn about utilisation, degradation and loss of coastal & marine habitats.
Unit 6
Government policy and legislation
This unit explores the need for marine wildlife protection, sustainable fisheries and clean seas and beaches.
ZSL Fellowship
When you study a wildlife, zoology or conservation course with Animal Courses Direct, you will be eligible to apply for ZSL Fellowship. Fellows get unlimited access for them and a family guest to ZSL London and Whipsnade Zoos plus borrowing rights in the extensive ZSL library of rare zoological texts. Enrol on your course and apply directly to ZSL for Fellowship.
Marine Conservation Course
Our Marine Conservation Diploma Course consists of 6 theory modules and covers the ocean as a habitat, the evolution and marine life adaptation, fisheries and sustainable fishing, ocean pollution and the impact of global climate change, the impact of non-native species and government policy and legislation.
This Marine Conservation course has been designed for those interested in marine conservation and for those wanting to volunteer or follow a career in this field.
Marine Conservation is the study of conserving physical and biological marine resources and ecosystem functions. Marine conservationists rely on a combination of scientific principles derived from marine biology, oceanography and fisheries science, as well as on human factors such as demand for marine resources and marine law, economics and policy in order to determine how to best protect and conserve marine species and ecosystems.
Marine Conservation
Marine conservation is the study of conserving physical and biological marine resources and ecosystem functions. Martine conservationists rely on a combination of scientific principles derived from marine biology, oceanography and fisheries science, as well as on human factors such as demand for marine resources and marine law, economics and policy in order to determine how to best protect and conserve marine species and ecosystems. Covering over 70% of our planet’s total surface, the seas are somewhat of an enigma. As little as 5% of the world’s oceans have actually been explored by man and new species are discovered everyday, with an estimated 75% of species yet to be discovered. Irrespective of the fact we know very little about our oceans they are incredibly important to life on earth in a number of aspects; they drive weather systems, control global temperatures based on oceanic currents and provide transport, food and habitats for its extremely diverse inhabitants. However, where did the oceans come from? How did they develop and come to be configured around the continents as they are today? This marine conservation course explores all this and more.
Marine conservation became globally recognised in the 1970’s. This era was known as the ‘marine revolution.’ It marked the genesis of nations debating and forming agreements, working together to protect the oceans. This change was largely driven by new technology that allowed researchers to explore deep under the waters, gaining an entirely new perspective of marine ecosystems that formed the foundations of the knowledge held today.
Marine Conservation Crisis
The oceans are under a tremendous amount of pressure. Only 20% of the fish stocks in the world are not being exploited to some level. While intensive fishing methods are endangering the lives and habitats of other animals that live in the ocean, massive levels of rubbish are being dumped into the ocean. There are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic debris in the world today, the size of a floating plastic island three times the size of France. Populations of many marine mammals, fish and turtle have already depleted.
These issues cannot be tackled by understanding just one perspective. Marine conservationists must have a strong understanding of economic, social factors and scientific theology to be part of the driving force to protect the seas. Part of the marine conservation course is about exploring the various aspects of the ocean from how they developed to their state today and understand the potential solutions that lie ahead.
For instance, this course explores sustainable fishing techniques and how they can be incorporated to save fish populations from dying out. Learn about the various actions that organisations are taking such as campaigning for new laws and treaties, introducing fishing quotas and establishing new protected areas. Learn about the different parties involved in the effort to conserve marine life and the powers they have to bring change. Climate change is already having a significant impact on marine life across the world; discover how marine life adapts to the changes in water temperature. Since 1982, 105 species off the North-East US coast have moved ten miles North and twenty feet deeper in search of cooler waters. Unfortunately, when species move like this it can shift entire ecosystems, highlighting the importance of action to prevent further climate change. This course studies about the causation behind global warming and what can be done to prevent further damage to our oceans.
What is the main aim of marine conservation? While natural elements can endanger habitats and ecosystems, marine conservation is focused on limiting the damage caused by human behaviour and restoring entire marine ecosystems. Habitat degradation, species loss, changes in ecosystem function and overabundance are all modern issues marine conservationists work to correct. The oceans aren’t just a home to millions of sea creatures, they are a crucial part of society with ties to the world economy and even the health of the human population. This course is about teaching those eager to learn about how they can be saved and the action that must be taken to preserve ocean habitats and marine life.
