Amanda Vincent | |
|---|---|
 Dr. Amanda Vincent | |
| Nationality | Canadian, British |
| Alma mater | Cambridge University, University of Western Ontario |
| Known for | Pioneering research on seahorses, pipefishes, and pegasid fishes Marine trade assessment and policy development Marine protected areas and zoning Reproductive ecology of marine fishes Community-based coastal resource management |
| Awards | Indianapolis Prize (Finalist, 2010) Canada Research Chair in Marine Conservation (renewal, 2007) Yves Rocher Woman of the Earth Award (2007) Chevron Conservation Award (2005) Pew Fellowship in Marine Conservation (2000) Rolex Award for Enterprise (1998) Whitley Award in Animal Conservation, Royal Geographic Society (1994) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Marine biologist, conservationist |
| Institutions | Project Seahorse University of British Columbia |
Dr. Amanda Vincent is a Canadian marine biologist, conservationist, and one of the world’s leading experts on seahorses and their relatives. She holds the Canada Research Chair in Marine Conservation at the Fisheries Centre at the University of British Columbia, Canada. Vincent co-founded and directs Project Seahorse, an interdisciplinary and international organisation committed to conservation and sustainable use of the world’s coastal marine ecosystems.
Vincent was the first person to study seahorses underwater, the first to document the extensive trade in these fishes, and the first to initiate a seahorse conservation project. Her work has received many awards and commendations. Vincent is consulted on marine management and policy issues. From 2000-2004, she chaired the Syngnathid Working Group for the 169-nation Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Project Seahorse played pivotal roles in the landmark CITES decision to begin regulating international trade in some marine fishes of commercial importance. In addition, Vincent has held special responsibility for coastal species as a member of the Steering Committee of the IUCN Species Survival Commission.[1]
Education
editVincent received a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge, England and a B.Sc. (Hons.) from the University of Western Ontario in Canada. She was a Visiting Fellow in Sweden and Germany (1990-1991) and a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Oxford, England (1991-1996). She was on faculty at McGill University, Montréal, Canada (1996-2002), where she was named a William Dawson Scholar in 2000. The same year, Vincent was named a Pew Fellow in Marine Conservation, the world’s pre-eminent award in that field.
Project Seahorse
editIn 1996, Vincent co-founded and still directs Project Seahorse, an interdisciplinary and international organisation committed to conservation and sustainable use of the world’s coastal marine ecosystems. The group engages in connected research and management at scales ranging from community initiatives to international accords. Collaborating with stakeholders and partners, team members use seahorses to focus efforts in finding marine conservation solutions. Project Seahorse undertakes biological and social research, empowers local communities, establishes marine protected areas, manages small-scale fisheries, restructures international trade, promotes integrated policy, and advances environmental understanding. About 35 professional team members work around the world.
Research
editVincent has written many scientific papers, technical reports, popular articles and policy briefings. She published the first monograph on the international trade in seahorses in 1996 and then co-authored a book on seahorses in 1999. Her work has been documented in five full-length television programmes, and much other media coverage globally. Her background includes extensive rough travel through more than 60 countries. Project Seahorse research and management initiatives are supported by not-for-profit organisations, government, private enterprise, research councils and individuals. Her research interests include:
- Seahorses, pipefishes, pegasid fishes;
- Marine protected areas and zoning;
- Community-based coastal resource management, particularly in Southeast Asia;
- Subsistence fisheries management and by-catch reduction;
- Marine trade assessment and policy development;
- Reproductive ecology of fishes and other marine organisms, and its evolution; and,
- Use of marine resources for non-food purposes (e.g. medicines, aquarium pets, and curios).
Selected publications
edit- Vincent, ACJ, Giles BG, Czembor CA, Foster SF. 2011. Trade in Seahorses and Other Syngnathids in Countries Outside Asia (1998-2001).
- Vincent, ACJ, Foster SJ, Koldewey HJ. 2011. Conservation and management of seahorses and other Syngnathidae. Journal of Fish Biology. 78(6):1681-1724.
- Vincent, ACJ. 2008. Keynote: Reconciling fisheries with conservation on coral reefs: the world as an onion.. Reconciling fisheries with conservation: Fourth World Fisheries Congress. 49:1435–1467.
- Vincent, ACJ, MEEUWIG J, PAJARO M, PERANTE N. 2007. Characterizing a small-scale, data-poor, artisanal fishery: Seahorses in the central Philippines. Fisheries Research. 86(2-3):207-215.
- Vincent, ACJ, Marsden AD, Sumaila. UR. 2007. The role of globalization in creating and addressing seahorse conservation problems.. Globalization: Effects on Fisheries Resources. :184-214.
- Vincent, ACJ. 2006. Live food and non-food fisheries on coral reefs, and their potential for management.. Coral Reef Conservation. . :183-236.
- Vincent, ACJ, Sadovy YJ. 1998. Reproductive ecology in the conservation and management of fishes.. Behavioural Ecology and Conservation Biology. . :209-245.
- All publications by Amanda Vincent (1998-present)
Awards and Honours
editVincent’s research and advocacy work for marine conservation have earned her the following awards and accolades, among others: Whitley Award in Animal Conservation (1994); Grand Prix International pour l'Environment Marin (Conféderation Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques: 1997), Rolex Award for Enterprise (1998); TIME magazine Leader for the 21st Century (1999); La Presse Personality of the Year (2000); Chevron Conservation Award (2005); Yves Rocher Foundation Woman of the Earth (2007).
References
edit- ^ "ProjectSeahorse.org". Dr. Amanda Vincent. Project Seahorse. Retrieved 20 September 2011.