Marine Parks: a tool for sustainability
Pia Winberg
Institute for Conservation Biology
Pia Winberg is two years into a PhD,
researching the ecology of one of the least studied marine habitats in
Australia, estuarine tidal flats, while concurrently investigating the
ecological impact of humans by studying one of NSW’s relatively new Marine
Parks. Pia gives her reason for choosing this field: “there is one thing that is
undeniably clear; that we as humans are having a huge impact on the marine
environment. In doing this, we are biting the hand that feeds us, so our impacts
need to be better understood and managed for our own long term sustainability.”
Pia is interested in Marine Protected Areas as a promising tool that may lessen
human impact and help us manage marine resources. To date, Pia’s research has
determined how one level of biodiversity is distributed in tidal flats and what
the implications are for designing Marine Protected Areas. She has also
monitored changes in certain fauna since humans were removed from this habitat
three years ago, and is trying to determine how this may affect predators, such
as stingrays and other fish higher up in the food chain.
Pia tells us something of herself: “I am a 34 year old mother of two, living on the south coast of NSW close to many of my research locations. I completed my Undergraduate and Honours degree at Stockholm University in Sweden, but have made Australia my home. I undertake most of my research on a distance basis from home, where, with a shared schedule and support from my husband, we can work around children and have flexible work hours. This works very well with today’s communications technology and I think my output is evidence of that. I hope to have academic or government scientific research employment in the future that is as flexible and enjoyable as my PhD research today.”
