Society, Management, and Governance
We work with stakeholders to understand relationships between marine resource governance, coastal communities, well-being dimensions, and marine environmental health. Our research informs policies and management in response to global challenges.
Sustainable management
Newcastle has four decades of research experience in the sustainable management of marine and coastal ecosystems. Across the globe, we work with stakeholders to understand relationships between marine resource governance, coastal communities, well-being dimensions, and marine environmental health. We seek to optimise stakeholder participation in the governance of marine environments, informed by understanding the socio-economic and environmental drivers of resource exploitation.
We work extensively with a range of national and international governments and policymakers to evaluate and improve governance to support blue economies, marine protected areas, marine biotechnology, deep-sea exploration, and fisheries and aquaculture. Through partnerships with government agencies, we have generated research evidence of fishing intensity impacts on reef habitats and identified temporal relationships between fishing behaviour and habitat quality. Our mapping research underpins major initiatives, e.g., designating UK marine conservation zones and examining coral reef changes pre- and post- hurricane.
Societal challenges
We recognise the need to restore and protect our natural systems while addressing societal challenges. Our research provides an understanding of the spatial and temporal dimensions of ecological processes, including the pressures of climate change and anthropogenic disturbance. We utilise novel mapping and modelling of species and habitats to inform spatial management of fisheries and commercial stock protection to ensure sustainable food security.
Working with coastal communities, we strive to understand external drivers of behaviour, alternative fishing practices and livelihood options. Our researchers integrate societal perspectives to address interdisciplinary issues surrounding food security, local economies, technology adoption and ecosystem services. We conduct social impact assessments focusing on well-being impacts of fisheries practices and socio-economic change, and examine issues such as the influence of gender in marine fisheries.
Community engagement
We engage communities and citizens with our science and co-create research to empower people to contribute to the conservation of their local habitats. We have implemented a number of participatory projects across the Northeast to promote awareness and stewardship of the maritime history and the marine environment, and to encourage sustainable behaviour.
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