Five distinguished scientists and conservationists based in Canada, India, Indonesia, Palau, and Rwanda, are this year’s recipients of the Pew Fellowship in Marine Conservation. The three-year fellowships will support research to improve ocean conservation and management, including a study of the link between healthy fish populations and healthy coral reefs off India, an evaluation of the status of marine mammal populations near Tanzania, an assessment of the success of marine protected areas in Palau, a review of traditional laws that govern marine resource use in Indonesia, and an analysis of ecological and societal impacts of sea otter recovery in British Columbia, Canada.
The Pew Fellows Program in Marine Conservation provides fellowships to outstanding scientists and other individuals across the globe to support innovative projects aimed at developing and implementing solutions to critical challenges facing the world's oceans. For the first time in the program's history, fellowship awards are going to citizens of India and Indonesia.
“These fellows, like those who have come before them, bring diverse backgrounds, skills, and experience to the task of harnessing science and research for the purpose of better understanding and protecting the world's marine environment,” said Joshua S. Reichert, executive vice president of The Pew Charitable Trusts.
Rohan Arthur, Ph.D., a senior scientist with the Nature Conservation Foundation in Karnataka, India. In his fellowship project, Dr. Arthur will gather data to better understand the contribution of healthy fish populations to the long-term resilience of coral reefs. He also will consult with fishermen to document past and present changes in fishing pressures on coral reef fish in the Lakshadweep Archipelago in India. His research will help promote ecologically sound management of fisheries and reefs.
Meity Mongdong, the Bird’s Head Seascape capacity building manager at Conservation International Indonesia in Denpasar, Bali. Ms. Mongdong will review the largely unwritten traditional laws governing marine resource use in West Papua, Indonesia, and will lead efforts to develop better policies for regulation and enforcement. Using the islands of Raja Ampat in Indonesia as a case study for assessing an improved management approach, she will disseminate lessons learned through trainings, media, and a national-level curriculum for marine protected area managers.
“The 2013 Pew Marine Fellows add their vision and talent to new research and collaboration with stakeholders to help protect our vital marine resources,” said Polita Glynn, director of the Pew Fellows Program in Marine Conservation. “We look forward to helping them advance ocean stewardship around the world.”
The Pew Fellows Program in Marine Conservation has awarded 130 fellowships to individuals working in 33 countries. Each fellow receives US$150,000 to conduct a three-year scientific research or conservation project designed to address critical challenges to the oceans. Through a rigorous nomination and review process, a committee of marine specialists from around the world selects marine fellows based on the strengths of their proposed projects, including the potential to protect ocean environments. Cutting edge and timely projects, led by outstanding professionals in their fields, are chosen annually. The program is managed by The Pew Charitable Trusts in Washington, DC.