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MSc, OCFThesisEconomics of fishmeal production DegreesBSc Marine Biology, University of South Florida |
Supervisor
Rashid Sumaila
Research Unit
Fisheries Economics Research Unit
Contact Information
Email: l.shea@oceans.ubc.ca
Website: saltyscience.org
Twitter: @saltysciencerowing
Biography
Growing up on the coast of Florida, Lauren spent most of her time on the water swimming, scuba diving, fishing, and surfing. She studied Marine Biology at the University of South Florida and upon completion, became a scuba diving instructor and boat captain.
After working on a variety of projects including fine-scaling marine protected areas in the Falkland Islands, studying eDNA in sediments found in shallow marine habitats in Saudi Arabia, and working to understand how ocean acidification is impacting Florida’s coral reefs during a stint at NOAA, she took up sailing full-time aboard sailing yacht, Argo, a 112’ school ship that takes university students for a semester of experiential learning in marine biology, oceanography, leadership, and nautical science. She crossed the Atlantic Ocean twice in 2020, transited the Panama Canal, and then spent 2021 sailing across the Pacific, finishing up her time as Chief Mate aboard in Thailand. Shortly after, she set her sights on high-latitude sailing and moved to northern Norway to work as an expedition manager and skipper on sailing expedition yachts in northern Norway and Svalbard.
After many years of sailing and diving around the world and witnessing the overwhelming extent of human impacts on the oceans, Lauren decided it was time to go back to school to study marine resource management and ocean economics. She is a Master’s student at the IOF conducting research on the economics of fishmeal production around the globe with a particular interest in fishmeal operations in Northwest Africa.
Lauren is also rowing across the Atlantic in December 2023 with three other women marine biologists (Team Salty Science) to raise money for marine conservation organizations.
Research Interests
Marine Resource Management; Marine Policy; Marine Protected Areas; Ocean-based Climate Solutions; Regenerative Ocean Farming; Small-scale Fisheries; Food Security; Community-based Management; Marine Tenure
Awards
Richard J. and Julia KREJSA Scholarship in Oceans and Fisheries- 2022