Dissertation Research: Torres Strait Marine Foraging and Resource Utilization

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0109170Smith / NormanThis dissertation research by an anthropology student from the University of Washington will gather and analyze data on western Torres Strait (Australia) Islander marine resource use, in order to evaluate two competing models of human use of natural resources. Optimal foraging theory predicts that defendable territories of limited access are likely to produce conservation-oriented behaviors, such as foregoing the harvest of marine animals based on individual size or local population depletion. An alternative view of small-scale human society holds that people are often socially invested in conserving future stocks without regard for specific territorial rights. Hypotheses from these alternative theories will be tested in this research, using measurements of catch, patch time allocation, and return rates. The data and will contribute to an enhanced understanding of the microecology of fishing, and will be useful for localized and cooperative management institutions to provide them with a stronger basis of effective management of coastal resources. The project in addition contributes to the training of a young social scientist, and advances our understanding of this important region of the world.