Livelihoods, Equity and Governance

James Cook University is internationally recognised for its strength in interdisciplinary research that improves the lives of people living in the tropics through the effective management and conservation of coastal and marine environments. The sustainable use and production of aquatic resources can only occur if emerging biophysical and technological knowledge is effectively translated into management action. Resilient, adaptive, and receptive societies are essential for achieving this goal. Understanding the broader social context, including how people perceive, value, and use aquatic resources is therefore key to ensuring sustainability through the effective uptake of new science and technology.

The Livelihoods team have highly developed skills in socio-cultural and economic aspects of natural aquatic resource use and farmed production. Through interdisciplinary collaboration across our themes, the Centre can provide complete triple bottom line assessment of the full spectrum of aquatic food and product production, identify adaptation benefits for the aquatic food production sector, and build the resilience of linked social and ecological systems.

The Livelihoods team collaborate closely with staff from other themes to implement interdisciplinary research aimed at improving the lives of people through effective management and conservation of coastal and marine resources. Topics include the sustainability of fishers, producers, industries and communities involved in aquatic food production; how to deal with change in fisheries and aquaculture to ensure aquatic food security; and identification of adaptation strategies in coastal communities. Research projects span Australia, Melanesia, Southeast Asia and South America.

This theme is led by Dr Jacqueline Lau (jacqueline.lau@jcu.edu.au).