Allison Stocks has traveled to Phu Quoc island with Mitacs Globalink for research into the vulnerability of seahorse populations.
It’s been a whirlwind of new experiences since I arrived in Vietnam two months ago. I am here to study seahorses, both underwater and those that are caught by fishing boats. It’s the field portion of my MSc degree, which I am completing at the University of British Columbia Fisheries Centre, co-supervised by Drs. Amanda Vincent and Sarah Foster. My lab, Project Seahorse, conducts research all over the world, with a focus on Southeast Asia. My work is strengthening ties between Canada and Vietnam, and helps work towards greater conservation for seahorses.
The Mitacs Globalink Research Award application was straightforward and when I learned I’d received it, I was thrilled! Mitacs made sure to guide me through pre-departure planning, which helped me prepare for my research overseas.
I arrived in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam and met with Dr. Nguyen Manh Ha at Vietnam National University, who helped me get accustomed to life in Vietnam. From there, I travelled to Phu Quoc Island, which is located in the Gulf of Thailand.
I have been scuba diving and observing catch of fishing boats to learn as much as I can about the seahorses. Vietnam exports seahorses for use in traditional medicine, aquariums, and as curiosity items. But it is unclear whether this exploitation is sustainable. My work is examining seahorse populations and their vulnerability to overfishing.
International experience has been integral to my personal development, creativity and innovation. I have studied in New Zealand and South Africa; these opportunities helped me to become who I am, and to give back to communities across the globe. My passion is marine conservation, and with the assistance of Mitacs Globalink I have had the incredible opportunity to work in Vietnam, and to contribute research to a national management plan for seahorse sustainability.
Mitacs thanks the Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia for their support of the Globalink Research Award program in this story. Across Canada, the Globalink program also receives support from Alberta Innovates, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of Ontario, the Government of Prince Edward Island, the Government of Quebec, the Government of Saskatchewan and Research Manitoba.
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