The semester’s second talk in the Climate-Sustainability Lecture Series, hosted by the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, will look at plausible ways of managing marine fisheries to better serve both the environment and consumers.
“Is ‘All or Nothing’ Really the Only Alternative for Marine-Fisheries Sustainability?”
Climate-Sustainability Lecture Series
David Kerstetter, Ph.D., research scientist and adjunct professor at NSU’s Oceanographic Center
Tuesday, Feb. 19
Noon–1:00 p.m.
Mailman-Hollywood Building | Second Floor Auditorium
About the Talk
Publicized collapses of such iconic fisheries as the Grand Banks cod have introduced the issue of sustainability to seafood consumers. Environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs) often suggest approaches that would eliminate some commercial and recreational fisheries altogether in the name of species conservation. While biologically effective, this would devastate local fishing communities and associated support industries in shorter timescales.
Some recent recoveries suggest that successful marine-fisheries management is possible, if sufficient political will is combined with science-based reductions in fish mortality, including changes in gear technology. This talk will discuss bycatch-reduction research and recent changes in NGO perspectives, and suggest approaches that could further biological diversity and species-preservation goals while preserving local fisheries and fishing communities.
This talk is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Song Gao, Ph.D., associate professor at the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, at (954) 262-8388.
Hosted by the college’s Division of Math, Science, and Technology, the Climate-Sustainability Lecture Series aims to increase the understanding of the science, technology, and policies relating to climate change and sustainable development. Experts in related fields from within NSU and other institutions are featured speakers. These lectures give faculty members and students the opportunity to discuss the scientific, technological, social, and policy aspects of sustainability-related issues.