PhD title: Nutrient security and equity of the Indian Ocean Rim: micronutrient composition of fisheries catches, their sustainability and trade flows.

Seafood is an important source of micronutrients including iron, zinc, vitamin B12 and vitamin A. In the Indian Ocean, small-scale fisheries contribute substantially to the diet of more than 800 million people living in developing countries. Populations in the Indian Ocean Rim are heavily dependent on these fisheries to provide key micronutrients. However, these fisheries are threatened by overexploitation, habitat degradation and climate change. Thus, the decline or collapse of marine resources places millions of people at risk of malnutrition.

Conventionally, fisheries catches are analysed simply on the basis of tonnes caught, ignoring that not all fish are nutritionally equal. My PhD thesis analyses the nutritional composition of the catches, with a specific focus on the Indian Ocean to quantify available fisheries-derived nutrients. My research also examines the impacts on nutritional security and equity of harmful fisheries subsidies, i.e., financial transfers from public entities to fishing enterprises, and the international trade flows, that moves fisheries-derived nutrients far away from where they are caught and needed.

Bio: Vania is originally from Italy, where she completed her Master in Environmental Economics and Policy at the University of Turin. She became fascinated with the ocean since moving to Australia in 2013. Vania’s interests lie in interrelations between the ocean and human health, in particular the global issues of food and nutrient security. She is exploring the challenges that compromise the role of wild capture fisheries in providing a secure source of food and nutrients, such fisheries subsidies, overfishing and international trade. Vania wants to impact policy by providing information on how to make the ocean a more equitable place for all.