PhD JOURNEY

From conducting research and publishing papers to collaborating internationally, each year has been a valuable step toward addressing the issue of ghost fishing gear and improving the sustainability of fishing practices. Below is a brief overview of the key milestones in my journey.

• 2022

I secured a competitive research grant that enabled me to collect valuable data from fishers, consumers, and the general public in Norway. This was a critical step in my research, allowing me to engage with key stakeholders and gather insights into their perspectives on mitigating the impacts of ghost fishing gear. The grant also supported the execution of surveys and experiments, providing a strong empirical foundation for my subsequent work.

• 2023

I had the opportunity to complete a research stay at the University of Wyoming, USA, which expanded my academic network and allowed me to collaborate with international scholars. This year, I also published my first paper within my PhD project, marking a major milestone in my journey. The paper reviews and synthesizes previous studies on the impacts of ghost fishing gear on marine ecosystem services, offering insights into the severity of the issue, suggesting management implications, and identifying knowledge gaps. Additionally, I conducted a survey and a survey experiment with Norwegian fishers on the adoption of biodegradable fishing gear.

• 2024

As of 2024, my research has expanded to national surveys with consumers and the general public about ghost fishing gear in Norway. These surveys aim to gather feedback on potential policy measures to reduce the environmental impact of ghost fishing gear. The insights gained will help shape more effective strategies for sustainable fisheries management.