This Earmarked Scholarship project is aligned with a recently awarded Category 1 research grant. It offers you the opportunity to work with leading researchers and contribute to large projects of national significance.
Supervisor – Associate Professor Carissa Klein, c.klein@uq.edu.au
An individual nation can obtain seafood through fishing and trade. When seafood is obtained through trade or fishing outside a nation's exclusive economic zone, associated ecological and social impacts are displaced onto other countries (or the high seas). Seafood displacement, whether through fishing or trade, is driven by a complicated mix of social (e.g., seafood preferences in different countries), economic (e.g., maximise profits), and environmental factors (e.g., health of the ocean). For example, countries import high-value products from Australia (e.g., rock lobster, abalone, premium tuna species) while Australia imports and consumes lower value products (e.g., canned fish and frozen fillets). Given the potentially perverse social and environmental impacts of displacement, improving the social and environmental sustainability of seafood requires a change in individual nations’ seafood trade and sustainability policies. Such changes could have social, economic, and environmental implications. This project will evaluate the social, economic, and environmental implications of minimising seafood displacement that has negative social and environmental consequences for other countries. The ultimate goal is to recommend innovative seafood trade scenarios that can improve a country’s sustainability and better protect the ocean., with a focus on Australia.
Australia is a world leader in marine conservation and fisheries management efforts, which is driven by numerous policies supporting sustainability and
conservation. However, Australia imports 70% of its seafood, and the social and environmental impacts of this displacement are neglected in its conservation and fisheries assessments and policies. Trade restrictions and guidelines that minimise such displacement are an innovative way to better protect the marine environment globally.
Preferred educational background
Applications will be judged on a competitive basis taking into account the applicant's previous academic record, publication record, honours and awards, and employment history.
A working knowledge of fisheries policy, trade policy, economics, sustainability, and conservation would be of benefit to someone working on this project.
The applicant will demonstrate academic achievement in the field(s) of conservation science, economics, law, policy, or data science and the potential for scholastic success.
A background or knowledge of economics, policy, fishing, and trade is highly desirable.
*The successful candidate must commence by Research Quarter 1, 2023. You should apply at least 3 months prior to the research quarter commencement date. International applicants may need to apply much earlier for visa reasons.