ZSL is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to work on a 2 year project funded by IUCN/European Commission entitled “Sustainable fishing in the Arctic: Can the harvest of Greenland’s biggest export be compatible with the conservation of benthic ecosystems?”. The West coast of Greenland is home to commercially important coldwater prawn and halibut fisheries.Their entrance into the MSC sustainability scheme has highlighted a concerning lack of knowledge of benthic habitats in the area, and the impact of trawling activities upon these habitats.
The project will conduct photographic surveys of the West Greenland benthos to document the structure, function and diversity of seafloor communities. This data will be used to map, model and predict distributions of benthic habitats, assess the impact of trawling and highlight potential vulnerable marine ecosystems. Specimens, images, interactive web resources, and educational games will be used in a series of outreach events designed to engage a broad spectrum of stakeholders including: fishermen, industry leaders, children and the general public.
This project provides an incredible opportunity for an early career researcher to play a key role in delivering this european research project by promoting and supporting the sustainable use of marine resources.