Bioeconomic Modelling of Marine Reserves

The aim is to conserve Australia s marine biodiversity while ensuring the long-term sustainable use of its fisheries. Major declines and continuing overcapacity in Commonwealth fisheries and Australia s implementation of a National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas create an immediate need to design reserves to both conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable harvesting. An interdisciplinary team led by one of the world's most cited fisheries economists, a post-doctoral research associate and one of Australia's top fisheries scientists will develop stochastic and spatial bioeconomic models of reserves. The research will allow managers to design reserves for biodiversity and socio-economic objectives.