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Dan Cain Memorial Global Grants Scholarship to support a PhD focused on the economic development of marginalized sea cucumber fishing communities in East Africa.
To honor the memory of Dan Cain through education and advocacy for those who rely on the ocean and marine resources.
Taylor Bratton of Encinitas, California, has been nominated for a Global Grants Scholarship by the Del Mar Solana Beach Rotary Club. She will undertake her PhD studies at Southern Cross University's National Marine Science Centre in Coffs Harbour, Australia, with field research taking place in coastal countries across East Africa, including Tanzania, Kenya, Mozambique, Madagascar, Comoros, and Mayotte.
Taylor's research seeks to address a pressing issue: the economic vulnerability of sea cucumber fishing communities, particularly the women who depend on this resource for their livelihoods. For centuries, sea cucumbers have provided economic stability to these communities, but overfishing and illegal trade, driven by high demand from East Asian markets, have led to the collapse of sea cucumber stocks. In response, six key species of sea cucumbers were recently added to the CITES list of protected species, which restricts international trade and poses new challenges for small-scale fishers.
This research aims to find sustainable and equitable solutions that can rebuild sea cucumber populations while also enhancing the economic resilience of the fishing communities that rely on them. By collaborating with local leaders and NGOs, Taylor will identify alternative income streams, such as community-based aquaculture and catch reporting programs, while exploring innovative approaches to fisheries management that ensure the long-term sustainability of these resources.
The project funds will be used to support Taylor's tuition and living expenses. Her PhD will last a maximum of three years and six months but will enact lasting, meaningful change.
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