Read all about it: Multi-methods approach for estimating Irrawaddy dolphin bycatch

Officially out in Marine Mammal Science this month – another chapter from the ol’ disseration – Multi-methods approach to characterizing the magnitude, impact, and spatial risk of Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) bycatch in small-scale fisheries in Malampaya Sound, Philippines! Email me to request a copy if you do not have access to Marine Mammal Science. Abstract…

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Current Project: Perspectives on the Future of Vaquita Conservation

The vaquita is the most endangered marine mammal in the world. It is a tiny porpoise that is found only in the Upper Gulf of California. Its decline has been primarily caused by bycatch, or accidental capture in fishing gear. Efforts to conserve this hapless species have stirred up a veritable maelstrom of controversy and distrust….

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On “hopelessness”, ignorant bliss, and pragmatism

Main point: One of the most intensely frustrating attributes of the general conservation community is a fear of realism – optimism is important, of course, but so is pragmatism. Species, ecosystems, resources (whatever you’re interested in conserving) will not survive merely because we hold hands and *believe* that they can.  Conservation approaches must be designed…

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Read all about it: Governance Potential for Marine Mammal Bycatch Mitigation

Presenting my first first-author paper, from my dissertation! This paper is part of a special issue in Applied Geography on Cultural Geography of Marine Resource Management, and I’m grateful to have been a part of the session at the AAG meeting in 2013 that led to this.  It represents my first foray into interdisciplinary research,…

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Ta-Daaaa: Defense Presentation Video!

Way back in August (actually, exactly 5 months ago), I gave the most important presentation of my life thus far: my dissertation defense.  It was exhilarating to share my research with a wonderful audience of mentors, loved ones, and well-wishers – it meant so much to see a sea of friendly faces who had taken…

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Climate Change & Small-scale Fisheries

Originally posted on SAFRN Blog:
One of the great tragedies of climate change is that it will severely impact those who had very little to do with causing the problem.  Natural resource-dependent communities – such as small-scale fisheries – in developing nations face a number of ongoing and potential future threats caused by the actions…