Seto, Katherine

Since the 1980’s, marine fisheries have experienced a dramatic decline in global catches, despite overwhelming increases in technology and capitalization. Furthermore, by 2025, the number of people living within 60 miles of coastlines is projected to increase by 35 percent compared to 1995, with global population reaching 9 billion by 2050. This disproportionate coastal population growth, combined with the global decline in fisheries, has the potential to significantly exacerbate current food security challenges. While 2.9 billion people worldwide rely on fish for at least 15% of dietary protein consumption, the strongest and earliest effects of these challenges will be felt in developing countries where fish comprises up to half of protein intake. Considering that many of these are fragile states, issues of food security may easily transition into issues of state security.

Broadly, my research interests relate to marine fisheries and their relationships to food security and development in West Africa, integrating ecological and social science aspects, in order to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of these challenges.