Oceans and Fisheries Seminars

The marine and coastal resources of the East African region provide ecological, economic and social resources for millions of people. Anthropogenic pressures including overfishing and climate change threaten these resources. Contrary to expectations that the ecological and social diversity of the region will present insurmountable challenges, this very diversity provides opportunities for testing innovative ways to address management.

Drawing on research from scientists in the Eastern African region, Dr. Muthiga will present a case study of the conservation of coral reefs, the most biodiverse and ecologically important marine ecosystem in East Africa. She will outline the changes that have occurred summarized from key findings from ecological and socio-economic studies focusing on the main pressures on reefs namely fishing and climate change. She will do this against the background of national and regional changes in governance of marine protected areas and small scale fisheries driven by the gradual change from top down management approaches to co-management. Lastly, Dr. Muthiga will present lessons learned and policy options to enhance the ability of coral reef communities in East Africa to sustainably manage SSF and coral reefs.

Many natural and marine scientists work in places with long histories of occupation and colonialism, where the impacts of colonialism are still ongoing. No matter how well-intentioned, biodiversity conservation work can perpetuate those legacies. Most scientists working in conservation-related fields are not taught about the ways their efforts can impact local people and communities, which can undermine the goals of their work. In order to end ongoing harm to Indigenous communities, we need to start by understanding the many ways the work we do and the assumptions we make are informed by colonial frameworks. Effective and just conservation requires that non-Indigenous scientists step back so that Indigenous peoples can take the lead, and our efforts must support that leadership. In this talk, Sara Cannon will discuss the history of biodiversity conservation, challenge the assumptions that the field is based upon, and identify how these assumptions led to conservation approaches that continue to harm Indigenous peoples around the world today. She will end with case studies that illustrate potential ways that scientists working in conservation can decolonize our approaches to simultaneously improve conservation efforts and support Indigenous sovereignty.