I am interested in marine ecosystem responses under current and future climate change and how these responses affect marine conservation efforts as well as fisheries governance now and in the future. Among other methods, I am using an ensemble modeling approach, in which output from disparate marine ecosystem models (see Fish-MIP and ISI-MIP) are combined into a model ensemble. I analyze future mean trends in marine ecosystem function and structure on multiple scales and under different climate-change scenarios. I primarily use ecosystem modelling and meta-analytical techniques, spatio-temporal trend analyses, and science writing and communication to increase knowledge and awareness of climate-change impacts on our oceans and its consequences for marine management and human societies. In my research, I aim for broad and international collaborations, generating accessible and meaningful knowledge that advances science, policy and decision making, and public engagement.
KEYWORDS: Climate Change, Fisheries Management, Marine Conservation, Marine Protected Areas, Fish-MIP, ISI-MIP, Marine Ecosystem Models, Ensemble Modeling, Adaptation Science |
Current projects
Newfoundland's marine conservation areas under climate change
This project is a research collaboration between the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University and Fisheries and Oceans Canada where research, training and technological capacities are being combined to advance methods of monitoring of marine conservation areas in Newfoundland waters to provide a strong scientific basis to evaluate their efficacy in a rapidly changing climate. Ecosystem responses within the North Water Polynya (Pikialasorsuaq) to fishing and climate change This project aims to develop an ecosystem assessment approach under different climate change and fisheries scenarios for the North Water Polynya (Pikialasorsuaq), by developing an information base and ecosystem model for the region. |
Completed projects
Future-proofing marine conservation planning in the NW Atlantic Ocean
In the context of marine conservation, my research focuses on adapting marine conservation efforts, such as marine protected areas and marine reserves, to future climate change to achieve a comprehensive marine conservation strategy in a changing ocean in the North-West Atlantic. This is important as recent research has highlighted a general lack of climate-change adaptation within most existing spatial marine conservation measures around the world. This limits the effectiveness of efforts to preserve marine biodiversity, essential habitats, and other marine ecosystem functions and services into the future. This research will help move towards future proofing marine biodiversity protection and protected area networks under climate change. Research outcomes can inform management and conservation agencies on projected climate-change impacts on ocean ecosystems, guide the integration of climate-change effects into management policies and legislation, and help adapt marine conservation planning into the future. Ultimately, this can facilitate the long-term conservation of marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and valuable living marine resources in changing oceans for the benefit of our society, economy, and human well-being. Climate-Change Adaptation in Fisheries Management As marine ecosystems respond to changing oceanic conditions, fisheries resources and the fisheries targeting them need to adapt. For example, with rising ocean temperatures, some fish populations are changing their distribution in search of more favorable habitats, which can disrupt existing fisheries operations and require management practices to adjust. Here, I am interested understanding if and how countries around the world adapt their fisheries governance to climate change, in terms of policy, legislation and management implementation. Evaluating the current progress in climate-change adaptation of fisheries management systems can inform management authorities and accelerate moving towards climate-adaptive fisheries, which is essential for building a future that includes sustainable and profitable fisheries as well as the provision of fish protein for millions of people. |