Nutrient productivity of reef fish on degraded coral reefs

This project will investigate the rates at which coral reef fish grow and produce nutrients vital to human health. Climate change has caused habitat degradation on many coral reefs around the world, which affects the fish species supported by reefs and in turn the fish available to local fisheries. The production rates of reef fish are affected by the physical characteristics of the seabed as well as pressure from fisheries, and so these variables will be included in analyses of nutrient productivity. Knowing how nutrient production from fish is affected by climate-induced reef degradation is important for assessing the role reef fisheries can play in tackling nutrient deficiencies in coastal communities that rely on reef fish for food and nutrient security. Expected outcomes from this project include a PhD chapter that will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and conference presentations to share findings with others interested in the contribution of marine resources to human nutrition.

Faculty Supervisor:

Aaron MacNeil

Student:

Partner:

Lancaster University

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Aquaculture and Fishing; Environmental Science and Technology; Natural Resources

University:

Dalhousie University

Program: