OATA is supporting two research projects that will examine how wild collected ornamental fish can be caught sustainably and how the industry can contribute to conservation in source countries. Both projects are being run in collaboration with the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences (Cefas) and Waltham Petcare Science Institute (Mars).
The first project, at the University of Leeds School of Biology, seeks to Assess the current and future sustainability of coral reef ornamental fisheries under different management scenarios. This PhD opportunity will build and develop assessment methods for the status of tropical ornamental fisheries that promote sustainable harvesting of reef fishes to benefit both biodiversity and the socio-economic systems that rely on them. Fieldwork opportunities through overseas trade partners will be available.
The second project, at the University of Kent’s School of Anthropology and Conservation, will examine the Role of marine ornamental fisheries in achieving net positive outcomes for nature and people. The student will be required to spend a significant part of their time working alongside the fisher communities in Indonesia and the Philippines where they will study ways to to better understand the ways sustainable ornamental fisheries could contribute to ecosystem conservation while enabling socio-economic development.
