Marine Protected Areas unit (JFA533)

Hobart

Introduction

In this unit, you will investigate the global role of marine protected areas (MPAs) in balancing biodiversity conservation and sustainable food production. Using examples worldwide, you will study various MPAs and other types of area-based management - from small fishery closures to large world heritage sites, such as the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Students participating in the unit will have the opportunity to visit four MPAs in Tasmania, engage in discussions with scientists, stakeholders, and park rangers, and perform their own biological and socio-economic surveys to evaluate MPA impacts. During interactive seminars and peer-based tutorials, students will study MPA theory and case studies, develop and communicate MPA management plans, and apply quantitative tools to design MPAs and measure their impacts. On completion of this unit, you will have an understanding of (1) the different types of MPAs, (2) the trade-offs among ecological and socio-economic outcomes, (3) effective MPA design, enforcement and governance, and (4) progress towards global MPA targets.

Summary

Unit name	Marine Protected Areas
Unit code	JFA533
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Sciences and Engineering Institute for Marine & Antarctic Studies
Discipline	Ecology and Biodiversity|Fisheries and Aquaculture|Oceans Ice and Climate
Coordinator	Doctor Nils Krueck
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Postgraduate

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Hobart	Semester 1

Note

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Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 1	22/2/2026	16/3/2026	19/4/2026	13/6/2026

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Describe the theory and rationale for the use of marine protected areas and other types of effective protected areas.
• Apply and critique processes of marine protected area planning and evaluation to inform management.
• Critically evaluate the effectiveness of marine protected areas.

Fee Information

Field of Education	Commencing Student Contribution 1,3	Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3	Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3	Domestic Full Fee 4
010907	$1,192.00	$1,192.00	not applicable	$3,030.00

• Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
• HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility³
• FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility⁴

¹ Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
² Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
³ Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
⁴ Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	Weekly for 13 weeks: 2 hr lecture, 2 hr tutorial. One 3-day field camp.
Assessment	Computer lab reports (15%)|Final Exam (25%)|Presentation (25%)|Written Report (35%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

To be confirmed on MyLO in preparation for each week.

Recommended

UNEP-WCMC - the World Database on Protected Areas: www.protectedplanet.net/marine. Marine Conservation Institute - The Atlas of Marine Protection: http://mpatlas.org. Grorud-Colvert et al. (2021) The MPA Guide: A framework to achieve global goals for the ocean. Science 373, No. 6560. Available here: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abf0861 Day et al. (2019) Guidelines for applying the IUCN protected area management categories to marine protected areas. International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Gland, Switzerland. Available here: https://portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/files/documents/PAG-019-2nd%20ed.-En.pdf

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.