Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic director focused on measurable results and operational excellence in maritime education. Integrates IMO/STCW regulations and ISO 21001/9001 f
Masters · 1500 h · 11 modules
Master's in Sustainable Management of Marine Natural Resources
The Master's in Sustainable Management of Marine Natural Resources Prepares you to manage the ocean’s natural resources on sound scientific, economic and social grounds. You will study fish stock assessment, the ecosystem approach
Duration1500 h
FormatOnline
Starts7 December
Places20 / 20
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Programme overview
What is the Master’s in Sustainable Management of Marine Natural Resources?
The Master's in Sustainable Management of Marine Natural Resources
Prepares you to manage the ocean’s natural resources on sound scientific, economic and social grounds. You will study fish stock assessment, the ecosystem approach, marine protected areas, marine spatial planning and the international legal framework, and learn to design management plans that balance conservation with the activities of the blue economy, from fishing and aquaculture to coastal tourism and offshore energy.
Key advantages
- An integrated view: Ecology, economics, law and governance applied to the same resource.
- Real tools: Stock assessment models, GIS and fisheries data analysis.
- International framework: UNCLOS, the FAO, regional conventions and the 2030 Agenda.
- Career focus: Ready for public bodies, NGOs, consultancies and maritime businesses.
- Your own project: A management plan for a real marine resource or area.
Programme type
Master's Degree
Study mode
Online
Duration
1,500 hours
Modules
11
Programme highlights
- Assess resources: Apply stock and ecosystem assessment methods.
- Manage with science: Design measures based on the ecosystem approach.
- Organise sea space: Use marine spatial planning to resolve conflicts between uses.
- Involve people: Bring communities and sectors into decision-making.
- Boost your career: Open doors to public bodies, international organisations and consultancies.
- Train to make sure the ocean’s resources remain available for generations to come.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 11 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
Ocean Ecosystems and Resources
- Structure of marine ecosystems
- Primary productivity and food webs
- Living and non-living marine resources
- Marine ecosystem services
- Coastal and shelf habitats
- Pelagic and deep-sea ecosystems
- Biodiversity and ecological function
- Human pressures on the ocean
- Climate change effects on resources
- The global state of marine resources
02
Population Biology and Dynamics
- Life cycles of exploited species
- Growth and age
- Reproduction and recruitment
- Natural and fishing mortality
- Population and stock structure
- Migration and connectivity
- Applied population genetics
- Interactions between species
- Biological indicators
- Biological sampling at port and on board
03
Fish Stock Assessment
- Catch and effort data
- Scientific research surveys
- Surplus production models
- Age-structured models
- Biological reference points
- Maximum sustainable yield
- Data-limited assessment
- Uncertainty and risk analysis
- Harvest control rules
- Interpreting scientific advice
04
Fisheries Management
- Objectives of fisheries management
- Total allowable catches and quotas
- Fishing effort control
- Technical measures and selectivity
- Discards and bycatch
- Use rights and co-management
- Small-scale and artisanal fisheries
- Monitoring, control and illegal fishing
- Certification and ecolabels
- Evaluating management effectiveness
05
The Ecosystem Approach
- Principles of the ecosystem approach
- From single-species to ecosystem management
- Ecosystem models
- Fishing impacts on habitats
- Vulnerable and protected species
- Ecosystem indicators
- Integrated ecosystem assessment
- Adaptive management
- Cumulative effects
- Applying the ecosystem approach in practice
06
Marine Protected Areas
- Types and aims of protected areas
- Site selection criteria
- Designing protected area networks
- Zoning and permitted uses
- Management and monitoring plans
- Reserve and spillover effects
- Funding protected areas
- Involving local users
- Assessing effectiveness
- Protected areas on the high seas
07
Marine Spatial Planning
- Planning concepts and principles
- Uses and conflicts at sea
- Mapping habitats and activities
- Marine geographic information systems
- Analysing compatibility of uses
- Planning scenarios
- Stakeholder participation
- Cross-border planning
- Links with coastal zone management
- Monitoring and reviewing plans
08
Economics of Marine Resources
- Blue economy and sustainability
- Fisheries economics
- Resource rent and overcapacity
- Valuing ecosystem services
- Cost-benefit analysis
- Subsidies and their effects
- Seafood value chains
- Seafood markets and trade
- Economic management instruments
- Financing marine sustainability
09
Governance and the Law of the Sea
- The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
- Maritime zones and jurisdiction
- The role of the FAO and its Code of Conduct
- Regional fisheries management organisations
- The high seas biodiversity agreement
- The Convention on Biological Diversity
- Sustainable Development Goal 14
- Multi-level governance
- Rights of coastal communities
- Compliance and dispute resolution
10
Data, Monitoring and Participation
- Designing monitoring programmes
- Onboard observers and electronic monitoring
- Vessel position data
- Remote sensing for resource management
- Databases and information management
- Data analysis with open tools
- Local ecological knowledge
- Citizen science
- Engaging with the sectors
- Resolving conflicts between users
11
Master's Final Project: Management Plan for a Marine Resource
- Choosing the resource or area
- Ecological diagnosis
- Socio-economic diagnosis
- Review of the regulatory framework
- Analysis of available data
- Setting management objectives
- Designing measures
- Monitoring plan and indicators
- Writing the dissertation
- Defence before a panel
Workload
Study Time and Workload
1500 hours of study, online and at your own pace. Move the slider to the hours a week you can really put in.
Hours a week8
Weeks to finish—
You finish around—
Who it is for
Graduates in marine science, biology, environmental science or economics: who want to specialise in marine resource management Fisheries and environmental agency staff: who design and implement management plans NGO and foundation professionals: working in marine conservation Environmental consultants: producing studies for offshore and coastal projects Fishing and aquaculture professionals
Faculty
Academic direction and faculty
The teaching team at Navalis: working professionals who deliver and oversee the institute's programmes.
Eng. Diego Cifuentes
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Eng. Tomás Riera
Verified reviews
Student Reviews
Reviews collected and verified by Opynio, not written by us.
Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
- 01Understand marine ecosystems
- 02Assess fish stocks
- 03Apply the ecosystem approach
- 04Design marine protected areas
- 05Organise marine space
- 06Draw up management plans
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Fisheries management officer: Designing and implementing measures in public bodies.
02Marine protected area manager: Planning and monitoring protected sites.
03Marine environmental consultant: Studies and plans for projects at sea.
04Marine spatial planning specialist: Organising uses of maritime space.
05NGO and foundation officer: Conservation and sustainable fishing projects.
06Sustainability analyst: Sustainability in fishing companies and seafood supply chains.
Questions
Entry Requirements
It is not essential. The programme covers the basics you need to understand and apply assessment models.
No. Fisheries carry significant weight, but you also cover protected areas, spatial planning and other uses of the sea.
Yes. You use fisheries data, habitat maps and public international databases.
No. It is an institutional qualification and does not replace official qualifications or public-sector recruitment processes.
A management plan for a real marine resource or area, with a diagnosis, measures and monitoring indicators.
100% online, with a virtual campus available 24/7, live sessions that are recorded, and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The programme involves 1500 hours of study. You can work at your own pace within the timetable we give you when you enrol.
Each programme has its own start date, shown on this page and confirmed by our admissions team when you enquire.
On completing the programme you receive the Master's in Sustainable Management of Marine Natural Resources qualification awarded by Navalis Magna Institute.
Online admissions
Admissions Process
No waiting for a phone call. If your documents are complete, you can pay in the same session.
Entry requirements
Academic/professional profile: A degree in marine science, biology, environmental science, economics, geography, engineering or a related field; or proven professional experience in the fishing, environmental or maritime sector. Language: A good working level of English to follow classes and materials. Technical requirements: A computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a webcam for live sessions and project presentations. Admissions process: Online application, profile review and a short interview with the academic team. We confirm your start date when you enq
Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
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