Alarming headlines about the dire state of the world's oceans have become common and overfishing is known to be one of the most important threats facing the Mediterranean Sea. Aquaculture is sometimes hailed as a solution to the continuing overexploitation of fish resources, but the industry faces many challenges and public perception of fish farming in the Maltese Islands is often negative.

Are you interested in learning more about how the fishing and aquaculture industries operate, the impacts these industries have on the marine environment, how such impacts can be monitored and managed, and the current approaches to fisheries management in the Maltese Islands? Then join us for a short evening course entitled An Introduction to Fisheries and Aquaculture, which is being held at the Department of Biology of the University of Malta until 4 December. This course is open to both students and the general public.

Lectures will be held on Tuesdays between 6 and 8pm and two practical sessions will be held on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm.

For further information contact James Fenech, Department of Biology, University of Malta on 2340 2272; email: [email protected]