Short course300 h · Online · 5 modules

Ocean Protection Policy Course

This course gives you a comprehensive view of the challenges and solutions for protecting the ocean. You will study the international, European and national frameworks that govern marine protection, the main threats such as pollution and overfishing, and the instruments used to manage ocean resources sustainably, from marine protected areas and fisheries regulation to environmental assessment, and you will finish by drafting your own ocean protection policy proposal.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules5
Program diagnosis

Prior knowledge check

These are the skills this program gives you. Tick the ones you already master and we will tell you which part of the syllabus is for you.

Your diagnosis
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You are starting from scratch in this subject. The program is designed precisely for that.

About the program

What is the Ocean Protection Policy Course?

This short course prepares you to understand, analyze and propose policies that protect the ocean. You will study the ocean as a common good, the threats it faces, ocean governance and its actors, Sustainable Development Goal 14, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ), the Convention on Biological Diversity, regional fisheries organizations and climate agreements, the EU Integrated Maritime Policy, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, the Common Fisheries Policy and maritime spatial planning, and the protection instruments that put all of this into practice.

What sets this course apart: a clear path from global treaties to European and national rules and on to the tools applied on the ground; up-to-date coverage of the High Seas Treaty and the 30x30 target; real case studies of successful policies and of conflicts between uses of the sea; attention to the role of science, NGOs and advocacy in shaping decisions; and a final project in which you draft an ocean protection policy proposal.

Program typeShort course
ModeOnline
Duration300 hours
Modules5
Start1 December

Program highlights

  • From treaties to the field: global, European and national ocean policy.
  • High Seas Treaty: the new framework for biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction.
  • Marine protected areas and the 30x30 target explained.
  • EU policy: Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Common Fisheries Policy and maritime spatial planning.
  • Real cases: successful policies, conflicts between uses and lessons learned.
  • Final project: your own ocean protection policy proposal.
Syllabus

Syllabus of the Ocean Protection Policy Course

5 modules. Select a module to see its content.

Module 1

Foundations of ocean policy

  • 1.1. The ocean as a common good
  • 1.2. Threats to the ocean
  • 1.3. Ocean governance
  • 1.4. Stakeholders involved
  • 1.5. Sustainable Development Goal 14
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 2

International framework

  • 2.1. United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
  • 2.2. High Seas Treaty (BBNJ)
  • 2.3. Convention on Biological Diversity
  • 2.4. Regional fisheries management organizations
  • 2.5. Climate agreements
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 3

European and national policies

  • 3.1. Integrated Maritime Policy
  • 3.2. Marine Strategy Framework Directive
  • 3.3. Common Fisheries Policy
  • 3.4. Maritime spatial planning
  • 3.5. National legislation
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 4

Protection instruments

  • 4.1. Marine protected areas
  • 4.2. The 30x30 target
  • 4.3. Fisheries regulation
  • 4.4. Pollution control
  • 4.5. Environmental assessment
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 5

Cases and project

  • 5.1. Analysis of successful policies
  • 5.2. Conflicts between uses
  • 5.3. The role of NGOs and science
  • 5.4. Policy advocacy
  • 5.5. Final project: ocean protection policy proposal
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Plan your pace

Duration and format of the Ocean Protection Policy Course

It is 300 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.

4 h30 h
With 12 h per week
6
months to finish
25 weeks
weeks in total

This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.

Faculty

Academic leadership and faculty

The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.

Dra. Marina AlcoverDr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Ing. Diego CifuentesEng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerDr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dra. Nuria LlobregatDr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Ing. Javier BañulsEng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Ing. Sofía MarquinaEng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Ing. Tomás RieraEng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration Coordinator
Objectives

Objectives of the Ocean Protection Policy Course

01Understand the international, European and national legal frameworks that govern ocean protection.
02Analyze the main threats to the ocean, such as pollution and overfishing, and the policy responses to them.
03Understand how marine protected areas are established and managed, from conservation objectives and zoning to monitoring and evaluation.
04Assess fisheries, pollution control and environmental assessment instruments and their effectiveness.
05Strengthen your ability to work within international and cross-border cooperation initiatives.
06Draft well-founded policy proposals that integrate science, stakeholder participation and sustainable development.
Careers

Career opportunities after the Ocean Protection Policy Course

01Marine protected area managerplanning, implementation and monitoring of conservation policies.
02Marine environmental consultantadvice to companies and governments on regulation and sustainable practices.
03Ocean policy analystevaluation and improvement of conservation strategies at national and international level.
04Public administration techniciandesign and application of rules for the protection of marine resources.
05Sustainability manager in the maritime sectorcorporate policies to reduce environmental impact.
06NGO policy and advocacy officerdefense of marine conservation and participation in international forums.
Frequently asked questions

Questions about the Ocean Protection Policy Course

To conserve the health and biodiversity of marine ecosystems while allowing sustainable use of ocean resources.

No. The course explains the legal frameworks in accessible terms; basic knowledge of marine ecology or the law of the sea is helpful but not essential.

Yes. The international module explains the agreement on marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) and how it relates to other instruments.

No. It starts from the global framework, then looks at European policy as a detailed example and at how national legislation applies these rules.

You draft an ocean protection policy proposal for a real or realistic case, justifying its objectives, instruments and stakeholders.

Fully online, through a virtual campus available 24/7, with live sessions that are recorded and tutorials with the teaching staff.

The course comprises 300 hours of study across 5 modules of about 60 hours each and ends with a final project. You can progress at your own pace within the schedule set when you enroll.

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Online admission

Admission process

No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.

Entry requirements
  • Profile: aimed at corporate sustainability managers who want to integrate marine conservation into their operations and supply chains, environmental managers and consultants who need up-to-date knowledge of international regulation and good practice, government representatives and policymakers, researchers and academics studying human impacts on the ocean, and NGO members and activists who want to strengthen their campaigns; studies or professional experience in environmental science, environmental law, marine biology, oceanography, public policy or marine resource management are recommended.
  • Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
  • Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a camera and microphone for live sessions and debates.
  • Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
  1. 01
    Application
    Your details, background and documents.
  2. 02
    Instant review
    We check that everything is complete and in order.
  3. 03
    Enrollment
    Choose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Start my applicationFrom $192 deposit

Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.

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Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.

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