The group around the South African Research Chair in Marine Ecology and Fisheries (SARCHI ME&F) is concerned with developing methodology for the implementation of an ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF) in the Benguela large marine ecosystem, and more generally, methodology for a systems approach to managing human interactions with the ocean. This includes coping with, and adapting to, climate change in marine social-ecological systems.
The interdisciplinary team is led by Associate Professor Astrid Jarre and Dr Lynne Shannon.
We are affiliated with UCT’s Marine Research (MA-RE) Institute and UCT’s Centre for Statistics in Environment, Ecology and Conservation (SEEC). We are grateful for core funding by the DST/NRF South African Research Chair Initiative, and additional funding from the CEC, UCT, the NRF and UKRI/GCRF. Our professional network includes colleagues in South Africa, southern Africa and world-wide.
News
Lynne delivered a very well received keynote address at the IMBeR2 Future Oceans Open Science Conference in Brest, France this morning. Her address was entitled “Navigating the ocean under stress: The combined effects of fishing and environmental variability on ecosystem dynamics.” With her flight delay, we are pleased she made it in time to present!
The IPBES Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services is being released at long last. Well done, Lynne, on your leading contribution to Chapter 2, "Status and Trends – Drivers of Change, Nature and Nature’s Contributions to People"! Find more info in the UCT article here: https://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2019-05-09-documenting-natures-dangerous-decline
MSc Casey T. Lyttle and Dr Catherine D. Ward graduated in April.
Casey researched nearshore wave variability and change off the south coast, and Cath integrated farming and fishing perspectives towards understanding climate variability in the southern Cape. Congratulations!!
Louise got the first paper out in 2019, presenting results of her research with small-scale fishers who operate as crew in the commercial handline fishery in the southern Cape. Her results offer an analysis focusing on the stressors in the natural system, social and economic (sub-)systems, policy and regulatory issues and insights into the fishers’ attitude towards change and adaptation options.