Bevan Series 2018: William Cheung

The Bevan Series is a popular annual event held one quarter each year, usually in the format of weekly seminars for 10 weeks, and on occasion as a two-day symposium. The series features internationally recognized experts seeking to examine current issues affecting fisheries and marine conservation, representing as many viewpoints as possible, focusing on solutions to pressing problems. All lectures are free and open to the public.

The Bevan Series is generously funded by the Donald E. Bevan Endowed Fund in Fisheries, the Northwest Fisheries Science Center, the Alaska Fisheries Science Center, and Washington Sea Grant. The Bevan Series was founded by Tanya Bevan as a tribute to her late husband, Don Bevan. Don’s academic career spanned almost 50 years at the University of Washington, during which time he was director of the School of Fisheries and dean of the College of Fisheries. His work focused on the key intersection between science, economics and politics, and he was deeply involved in the enactment and reauthorization of the Magnuson Act, which governs America’s marine fisheries. He worked tirelessly to ensure that fisheries managers, industry and scientists spoke with a unified voice in changing federal regulations, and also helped found what is now the UW School of Marine and Environmental Affairs.

The Bevan Series seeks to continue Don Bevan’s legacy.

The 2018 Bevan Series will be held at the University of Washington in the Fishery Sciences Auditorium (FSH 102) every Thursday afternoon at 4:30 during the Winter academic quarter. The address is 1122 NE Boat Street, Seattle, WA 98105 (map).

William Cheung

The University of British Columbia, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries

Climate Change, Seafood Production and the Future of Fisheries

Global seafood production from fisheries and mariculture contributes substantially to food security, health, economic benefits and livelihood opportunities of our society. Climate change is challenging the sustainability of seafood production through changes in the coupled human and natural marine systems such as ocean primary productivity, trophic dynamics, the economics of fishing, market access and dynamics, as well as local and global ocean governance. Moreover, non-climatic human drivers such as over-exploitation, climate change, pollution and habitat destruction are affecting the sensitivity of seafood production systems to climate change. There is a need to develop approaches that integrate these factors and drivers to project future seafood production under climate change. Here, I will explore approaches that integrate human and natural dimensions of marine systems to understand climate change impacts on future seafood production and their implications for sustainable development. These approaches range from expert-based assessment to quantitative models that integrate across biophysical and social-economic components. Furthermore, I will discuss the utilities of these approaches in examining the effectiveness of ocean-based solution options in mitigating and adapting climate change impacts on marine biodiversity and ecosystem services.

William Cheung is an Associate Professor and the Director of Science of the Nippon Foundation-UBC Nereus Program at the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, UBC. His research addresses the key challenges in understanding and predicting the responses of marine ecosystems and fisheries to global changes, as well as identifying and evaluating solution options to ensure the sustainability of marine and coastal ecosystems and communities.