The Scottish Fishermen’s Trust has awarded bursaries to four students from the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Aberdeen for projects that will enhance knowledge and understanding of the marine environment.
The Trust will donate £15,000 over the next three years to fund bursaries for the University’s pioneering new MSc degree in applied marine and fisheries ecology that is designed to produce cutting edge research to help the fisheries managers of the future.
The Trust was set up by the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation in 2006 and since its inception has awarded over £100,000 to a number of worthwhile projects. One of the key aims of the Trust is to protect and conserve the marine environment and advance public understanding of marine ecology and biodiversity.
The new MSc in Applied Marine and Fisheries Ecology – Concepts and Practices for Ecosystem Based Management – has been developed to fill the knowledge gap that currently exists and help develop much needed policies and strategies.
James Brown, chairman of the Trust, said these new bursary awards underlined the commitment of Scottish fishermen to protect the marine environment and ensure a sustainable future for fisheries.
“The award of these bursaries to students for the University of Aberdeen’s new MSc degree in Applied Marine and Fisheries Ecology puts into practical effect our desire to encourage the expertise and skills required to meet the challenge of marine resource management,” he said.
The successful students for this first round of bursary awards are Laura Clark (26), Lucine Edwards (25), Heather McMillan (24) and Emma White (23), with their respective projects being on deepwater species; small cetaceans; Lamnid sharks; and the deepwater fish, orange roughy.
