SEAwise is led by a core team of partners who lead the programme’s work themes and regional case studies, and spearhead the fantastic work being done to encourage our SEAWise Network to get involved in all areas of our research. They bring their knowledge and experience of fisheries and marine ecosystems, not to mention their enthusiasm and passion, to make a real impact to the longevity of sustainable management systems. Collectively, they make up our Steering Committee.
We spoke with each of them to hear more about what drives them to work towards the implementation of EBFM, and find out what excites them most about their work within SEAwise!
How is EBFM important to you?
Fisheries are incredibly complex and intricate – they do so much more than simply provide a source of food, and their ecosystems are too complex for us to only consider the things we want to eat! I think our fisheries should be sustainable – all the way from the species we are fishing, to the ecosystem and species that surround them, and the fishers and communities that depend on them. EBFM is important to me, as it presents an opportunity for us to acknowledge, evaluate, and factor in all of these crucial elements.
Which aspects of Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management interest you most, and why?
I am very interested in how we take all the knowledge we have about the sea and the concerns we have for sustainability into account in our decisions – without drowning decision makers in details that are not helpful to achieving our end goals of sustainability! Only this way can we achieve management that is practical and implementable in real life, and ensures sustainability.
How do you think your work in SEAwise will improve Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management?
I’m hoping that by bringing extraordinary minds together to discuss and improve marine science, the management systems in which we operate, and sustainability in its broadest, most inclusive sense, we will be able to produce clear advice on the topics we are truly concerned about. By doing this, we can create advice that is simple to implement and capable of achieving the ends we wish for.
Anna’s research encompasses species interactions, spatial distribution, and the growth of fish species in the North Sea. She enjoys unravelling the challenges of ecosystem management by studying biological processes and working out how to adapt human activities in response. She also has extensive experience participating in and leading advisory groups, including several ICES working groups. Anna is the Project Coordinator of SEAwise.
Our dynamic network of fisheries stakeholders is key to SEAwise’s work. We are actively seeking representatives from key management agencies, the fishing sector, NGOs and the scientific community to take part in workshops and other in-person or online knowledge-gathering activities. The shared insights and lived experiences of network members will support the development of a comprehensive understanding of the needs and priorities of a diverse range of fisheries stakeholders, and how to fulfil these.
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