Overview
My role is to ensure the smooth running of the programme, to build collaborations and partnerships within and beyond the programme, and to maximise impact. This includes finding opportunities for our science to support management, policy, and conservation, and to communicate our work widely. I am particularly focused on the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and the role of our programme in delivering ‘the science we need for the ocean we want’.
I have worked in the Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions for over 25 years. My research has focused on understanding the role of MPAs in protecting and restoring biodiversity and building resilience for communities and wildlife. Much of the research I engage in directly through the programme is led by the PhD students I co-supervise.
Working in the Indian Ocean region is like living in the best nature documentary, yet even there we see the impact of climate change, illegal fishing and plastic pollution. I am committed to use the best science to protect and restore this extraordinary last ocean wilderness area.
Biography
Other interests
I am interested in finding solutions to marine conservation challenges. This includes research into seahorses that was an early pioneer of community-based approaches, including marine protected areas. Based on research from one of my PhD students, I helped establish set up Net-Works, which developed a novel community-based supply chain for discarded fishing nets that are recycled into carpets. This recently spun out as social enterprise COAST-4C with expanded markets into seaweed products. This initiated a wider interest in solving ocean plastic pollution, including as science co-lead for National Geographic’s 2019 Sea to Source: Ganges expedition.
My Project
My Publications
The Ecological Impact of Plastic Pollution in a Warming Environment
Chowdhury, G.W., Koldewey, H.J., Niloy, N.H., Sarker, S. (2022). The ecological impact of plastic pollution in a warming environment. Emerging Topics in Life Sciences.
Priorities to Inform Research on Marine Plastic Pollution in Southeast Asia
Omeyer L.C.M., Duncan, E.M., Aiemsomboon K., Beaumont, N., Bureekul, S., Cao, B., Carrasco, L.R., Chavanich, S., Clark, J.R., Cordova, M.R., Couceiro, F., Cragg, S.M., Dickson, N., Failler, P., Ferraro, G., Fletcher, S., Fong, J., Ford, A.T., Gutierrez, T., Shahul Hamid, F., Hiddink, J.G., Hoa, P.T., Holland, S.I., Jones, L., Jones, N.H., Koldewey, H., Lauro, F.M., Lee, C., Lewis, M., Marks, D., Matallana-Surget, S., Mayorga-Adame, C.G., McGeehan, J., Messer, L.F., Michie, L., Miller, M.A., Mohamad, Z.F., Nor, N.H.M., Müller, M., Neill, S.P., Nelms, S.E., Onda, D.F.L., Ong, J.J.L., Pariatamby, A., Phang, S.C., Quilliam, R., Robins, P.E., Salta, M., Sartimbul, A., Shakuto, S., Skov, M.W., Taboada, E.B., Todd, P.A., Toh, T.C., Valiyaveettil, S., Viyakarn, V., Wonnapinij, P., Wood, L.E., Yong, C.L.X., Godley, B.J. (2022). Priorities to inform research on marine plastic pollution in Southeast Asia. Science of the Total Environment.
Marine Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas in the Chagos Archipelago
Carr, P., Trevail, A.M., Koldewey, H.J., Sherley, R.B., Wilkinson, T., Votier, S.C. (2022). Marine important bird and biodiversity areas in the Chagos Archipelago. Bird Conservation International.
Plastics Dominate Beach Debris in a Remote Archipelago; Spatial Variations in Island Debris Accumulation Inform Targeted Beach Management
Hoare, V., Atchison Balmond, N., Hays, G.C., Jones, R., Koldewey, H., Laloë, J-O., Levy, E., Llewellyn, F., Morrall, H., Esteban, N. (2022). Plastics dominate beach debris in a remote archipelago; spatial variations in island debris accumulation inform targeted beach management. Marine Pollution Bulletin.
Behavior and Ecology of Silky Sharks Around the Chagos Archipelago and Evidence of Indian Ocean Wide Movement
Curnick, D.J., Andrzejaczek, S., Jacoby, D.M.P., Coffey, D.M., Carlisle, A.B., Chapple, T.K., Ferretti, F., Schallert, R.J., White, T., Block, B.A., Koldewey, H.J. and Collen, B. (2020) Behavior and Ecology of Silky Sharks Around the Chagos Archipelago and Evidence of Indian Ocean Wide Movement. Frontiers in Marine Science.
