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PhD, IOFSupervisor(s)Dr. Rashid Sumaila, IOF Research UnitFisheries Economic Research Unit (FERU) |
Degrees
MSc. Biodiversity and Conversation, Indraprastha University, Delhi, India
BSc. Environmental Science, Mount Carmel College (Autonomous), Bangalore, India
Thesis Topic
My research work broadly focuses on understanding the economics of fishing industry in India. I use trawl fisheries as case study: a sector reported most profitable by the nation’s government. I will be investigating the economic impact based on empirical analysis of what is perceived as profitable and what are the other unaccounted hidden cost. The second part of my thesis aims at identifying who bears the financial burden. The outcome of my study envisages to have a better understanding of government resource use and distribution for improving fisheries management effectiveness.
Biography
I am a PhD student at the Institute of Ocean and Fisheries of University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC. I come from India, a nation with over 7500 Km coastline that inhabits around 170 million people threatened with an increasing risk to shifting climate, sea-level rise, and natural disasters. Of these, approximately 4 million constitute of marine fisher population, dependent on ocean resources while 60% of them are subsistence fishers. I was born in a landlocked state and spent most of my schooldays along the eastern Himalayan range. It was much later in life when I moved to a city for my undergrad degree, located closer to the oceans when I had the opportunity to get involved with all things marine.
Prior to starting my PhD, I have had opportunities to work with multiple stakeholder groups – government, non-government as well as fisher communities. My work with sea turtles at KSLAB of Indian Institute of Sciences took me from coast to coast. Later, as the marine programme coordinator of WWF-India I expanded my learnings to sharks and rays fisheries, seafood certification and community monitoring initiatives for ghost nets as well as resolving conflicts around bycatch from trawl gears.
Trawl sector was introduced in India with the intent to improve fishing capacity of traditional fishers, also, meet food security of the coastal poor. Over a span of seven decades it has evolved from landing commercial fish species for both export and domestic markets; now, thriving on low value fish catch landings. The financing and ownership structure of the sector has played a significant role in shaping it to what state it is today. This led to the inception of my current research study.
Research Interests
Fisheries Economics, Financing Conservation Initiatives, Resource Management
Awards
Cosmos International Graduate Travel Grant
Four Year Fellowship Awards
Four Year Fellowship Tuition Awards
International Tuition Awards
President’s Academic Excellence Initiative
Contact Information
Email: e.fatima@oceans.ubc.ca
Social Media
LinkedIn: Ema Fatima
Twitter: @OceansEmaFatima