Krish Seetah, Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology, Awarded Environmental Venture Project Grant

Safeguarding Ocean Ecosystems and Food Security: Many coastal communities – especially in the developing world – face significant food and nutritional security challenges tied to their reliance on wild-caught fisheries and productive near- and offshore ecosystems. Palau recently banned fishing in 80 percent of its waters, providing an unprecedented opportunity for a social ecological investigation that could provide other small island nations valuable insights on safeguarding ocean ecosystems and food security.

 

This project analyzes biophysical, cultural and socioeconomic linkages among Palau’s offshore and nearshore ecosystems and coastal communities. Results will illuminate connections between tropical communities and marine ecosystems, as well as the role of Marine Protected Areas in environmental conservation and human development.

 

Fiorenza Micheli (Biology), Nicole Ardoin (Education), Rob Dunbar (Earth System Science), Stephen Monismith (Civil and Environmental Engineering) and Krish Seetah (Anthropology)