The Fisheries and MPAs Module teaches students about conservation of public resources through the lens of fishing in the waters around the Channel Islands. The creation of Marine Protected Areas serves as a case study for protecting wild spaces, while taking into account the economic, environmental, cultural, and social needs of diverse stakeholders.
Conservation
Public Resources
Land and Water Management
This module contains materials for roughly 4.5 hours of instruction.
Suggested Grade Level: 6-9
The following sequence of lessons and activities help students conceptualize what a public resource is, who gets to use it, and how to strike that balance, all with the Channel Islands fisheries as a case study. These elements can be completed in sequence, or as separate lessons.
Classroom Discussion: What is a Public Resource?
Students will explore what defines a public vs. private resource, and begin to consider how various stakeholders might value the resource differently.
Discussion GuideSuggested Duration: 30 minutes
Homework: Many Voices
Students will examine the resources below, completing a comprehension worksheet.
Suggested Duration: 1 hour
Classroom Discussion: The Channel Islands Example
Students will map the findings from initial discussion onto the Channel Islands, using the resources from Explore for more context.
Discussion GuideSuggested Duration: 30 minutes
Activity: Create Your Own Protected Areas
Map the public resources at your school, and plan how they might be best conserved for all, taking into consideration the different stakeholders.
Activity GuideSuggested Duration: 2 hours (some can be assigned as homework)
Classroom Reflection: The Big Picture
Guided discussion that builds connections between the Channel Islands fisheries/MPAs case study, and the local resource management plan that they developed in Elaborate.
Discussion GuideSuggested Duration: 30 minutes
