Jack Montgomery Smith

Jack Montgomery Smith

Profile

Undergraduate Degree
MA (Hons) Philosophy, The University of Edinburgh, graduated 2012

Masters Degree
MRM (Master of Resource Management) Coastal and Marine Resource Management, The University of Akureyri, Iceland, graduated 2017.  Thesis: ‘The scarcity of fish, the proliferation of property and the fishermen caught in the middle : property rights and the connection to labour in Scotland’s demersal fishery’, a study into the relationship that key actors in the Scottish Demersal fishery (“owner-skippers”) have with their natural resource capital, the fish quotas. Specifically an analysis of their sense of ownership over the stocks in relation to their interpretation of their labour, and surrounding issues.

My research interests lie in the broad domain of Natural Resource Management, especially in regards to natural capital and economic interpretations of nature, including associated socio-political aspects. I have a particular interest and background in coastal and marine resources. My research and interests are heavily influenced by philosophy and analyses of the abstract systems of governance, belief, and decision-making behind the management of a resource.

Between periods in higher education I have worked in a number of roles (unrelated to my field of research), including teaching in Hong Kong and higher education administration of postgraduate courses at The University of Edinburgh.

Jack Montgomery Smith

Marine, Atmospheric and Climate Science

University of East Anglia, School of Environmental Sciences

PhD title: The future governance of blue common pool resources: what do fisheries and blue carbon have in common? An international framework. In collaboration with CEFAS (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science)

The marine environment provides a range of common pool resources, including fisheries and ‘blue’ carbon. Whilst fish biophysical functioning is well understood, and fisheries management and governance well established, there are still knowledge gaps on aspects of ‘blue’ carbon ecosystems, and limited research on their future governance. There are no international agreements safeguarding ‘blue’ carbon despite national and international interest (e.g. climate change mitigation; Natural Capital Accounts).

The aim of this project is to understand and relate the governance and management of fisheries and ‘blue’ carbon, exploring aspects of uncertainty (in modelling, politics and policy), given the dynamic biophysical nature and the current conditions of geo-political uncertainty they both share. The objective is to devise a more systematic approach to common pool resources internationally managed.

I will review existing work on fisheries functioning, governance and management practices, and on similar aspects related to ‘blue’ carbon, aiming to identify key biophysical and socio-economic factors affecting fisheries policy and management. This and subsequent phases of the research will be informed by consultation and discussion with relevant policy stakeholders. A suitable case study will be identified within either UK or non-UK waters. Drawing upon existing fisheries models, policy projections, and stakeholder and scientific expertise. The research will develop, test and analyse different plausible policy scenarios on fisheries management. These will be used to explore opportunities and challenges for the governance and management of existing and new ‘blue’ common pool resources.

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9788-3553

ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jack_Smith22