I have a PhD in in Marine Sciences, Technology and Management from the Campus do Mar and a PhD in Marine Biology and Aquaculture from the University of A Coruña. I am also professional diver and Specialized Technician in Aquaculture. My research focus on the integrated management of coastal socioecological systems, fisheries management, sustainability and conservation of marine biodiversity and other ecosystem services, with focus on stakeholder involvement and development of interfaces between science and policy. Research on coastal fisheries, including recreational, is a central theme of my scientific career.
I am specialist in the use of novel technology for the research of marine populations such as ultrasonic telemetry, remote and manned underwater cameras and ROVs. In addition, I develop and use different methodologies of social work, particularly, anthropological tools for collecting and processing local knowledge of fishers. Furthermore, I am familiar with different economic valuation methods and techniques.
I am currently leading the Working Group (WG) in Marine Recreational Fisheries of Spain, integrated by the main research centers with interest in recreational fisheries of Spain, different public administrations, and main stakeholders. I am also co-chair of the ICES WG on Resilience and Marine Ecosystem Services, and member of the ICES WG on Recreational Fisheries Surveys, and SOCIAL indicators. I am part of the editorial board of the international journals Animal Biotelemetry of BioMed Central, and Frontiers in Marine Science. During my career I have worked as a researcher in the Universities of A Coruña and Santiago de Compostela, in the research Centre of Underwater Research of Santiago de Compostela, as technician in the Aquarium Finisterrae of A Coruña and as an aquaculture technician in an international aquaculture corporation. In addition, I have founded a spin-off of the University of A Coruña developing sustainable and innovative management of natural resources.
I have established strong partnerships with leading scientists working in social and natural sciences, and I am currently leading research initiatives on marine recreational fisheries and Marine Ecosystem Services at regional, national, and international levels. My plans are to further develop 3 lines of research:
1) understanding how changes in marine ecosystems affect resilience and sustainability;
2) using socioeconomic techniques to understand the spatial distribution of benefits of Marine Ecosystem Services, and;
3) investigating what are the most suitable and positive practices and governance systems to contribute to the good environmental condition of ecosystems in balance with a profitable exploitation of resources and services.
My research line is largely based in the use of transdisciplinary approaches in the integrated, adaptive management of natural resources and Marine Ecosystem Services in complex marine Socioecological Systems.
Many of the papers that I have published covered gaps in the basic knowledge of relevant human activities worldwide, from Small-Scale Fisheries especially recreational, to industrial fisheries, including research on cultural Marine Ecosystem Services, and on the potential use of Fishers’ Ecological Knowledge and innovative tools in the management of fish stocks worldwide. I list here some publications to illustrate the connection with the themes.