The mesopelagic zone (between 200-1000m depth) is the habitat of the largest fish biomass in the ocean.

Mesopelagic fish likely hold a key role in global climate change by participating in the largest migration in the animal kingdom, transporting and storing carbon into the deep sea.

The SUMMER (Sustainable Management of Mesopelagic Resources, 2019-2024) EU project aims to evaluate if and how mesopelagic resources can be sustainably exploited.

To share the knowledge of the mesopelagic zone, experts from the SUMMER project have arranged a 5-day summer school course for 2 ECT credits, with the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute and the University of Iceland, in Iceland May 22nd – May 26th 2023.

The course will feature lectures from world-leading experts on mesopelagic research, engaging discussions, as well as hands-on laboratory work on mesopelagic fishes – in addition to the dissection of a marine mammal, apex predator of mesopelagic fish.

After completing the course

Students will be familiar with:

• Biology and Ecology of the Mesopelagic Zone

• Taxonomy and Diversity of Mesopelagic Fish

• Mesopelagic Fisheries (Economy, Governance,

Technology)

• Dissection of Mesopelagic Fish and Mammals

Students will develop valuable knowledge of one of the most understudied ecosystems in the world’s oceans, meet worldwide leaders in mesopelagic research, and study in an international group.

Students will also get to experience Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland in May – during a wonderfully bright spring.

The course itself is free for participatnts, but travel expenses (food, lodgings, and transport) must be covered individually.

International students are encouraged to apply, and housing is available on the university campus.

For more information