Discipline of Marine Studies
The Discipline of Marine Studies lies within the School of Agriculture Geography Environment Oceans and Natural Sciences (SAGEONS). Marine Studies is an interdisciplinary Discipline, integrating science (Marine Science Program) and social science (Marine Management Programme). The Discipline also supports marine programmes in other sections of SAGEONS, and other Schools in the University. The diverse marine programmes are coordinated by the Discipline Coordinator for Marine Studies. The teaching and research programs are developed through the Marine Studies Advisory Board.
Marine Studies Academic Programme branches in two disciplines namely:
- Marine Science Programme
- Marine Management Programme
The Discipline of Marine Studies Mission is to:
- Assist Pacific Islanders to comprehend, conserve, and sustainably develop and manage their living and non-living resources in a rapidly changing social, economic and political environment, including climate change.
- Provide Pacific Islanders with the widest possible range of opportunities for research, education, training and employment in the marine sectors.
- Encourage collaboration within the institutions of The University of the South Pacific, island nations, regional and international bodies for the sustainable development of the marine resources
- To contribute effectively to the sustainable use and governance of the PIC’s natural resources for the advancement, prosperity and development of the people and for the conservation of its rich biodiversity and environment.
- To prepare human resources capable of generating excellent scientific data and use such information for making informed and rational decisions based on factual evidence for the welfare of people and nature of PICs.
Our key areas are:
- Marine Affairs (Law of Sea, ocean governance and policy, economics, and management)
- Sustainable fisheries (inshore, offshore, management)
- Conservation biology
- Marine/ Fisheries Biology
- Aquaculture
- Coral reefs & marine biodiversity (ecology, conservation, management)
- Coastal management (processes, issues, planning)
- Atolls and small islands (sustainable development, climate change)
- Oceanic societies (Pacific peoples, community based management)
- Marine Pollution
- Oceanography
- Sustainable Marine Transport
The Discipline of Marine Studies also provides support services to all marine-related activities at the University, including the operations of a research vessel and small boats to access to the field, and a dive facility.
CAREER PROSPECTS – MARINE STUDIES DISCIPLINE
Marine Studies courses and programs are specifically developed/tailored to meet the needs and aspirations of USP member countries, and to ensure that graduates are employable in the job market. Listed below are some marine studies prospects:
- Marine/Ocean/Fisheries Managers
- Marine/Ocean/Fisheries Resources Planner & Policy Analyst
- Marine/Fisheries Scientist
- Marine/Fisheries Biologist
- Marine/Fisheries Ecologist
- Teacher/ Lecturer
- Aquaculturist
- Seafood Scientist
- Oceanographer
- Marine/Fisheries Enforcement & Compliance Officcer
- Maritime/Shipping Officcer
- Marine Spatial Planner
- Marine/Fisheries Resource Economist
- Marine Resources/Environment Conservationist
- Environment Leader
- Marine Community Workers, and many more
