From the Ground Up: Comparing Community-Led and Government-Driven Marine Protection in Greece, CASE project with the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation

From the Ground Up: Comparing Community-Led and Government-Driven Marine Protection in Greece, CASE project with the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation

Project Description

Supervisors

Dr Rachel Seary, University of Kent, School of Natural Sciences

Professor Joseph Tzanopoulos, Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Natural Sciences, University of Kent

Ms Anastasia Milou, Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation

 

Scientific Background

In a milestone achievement for marine conservation in Greece, coralligenous habitats surrounding the Fourni Island Complex, Eastern Aegean Sea, were officially designated as a protected natural formation in July 2025. This designation follows efforts by the Municipality of Fourni, the local fishing community and Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation to map black coral habitats in the region, driven by concerns over destructive trawl-fishing practices that threaten the habitats and their associated ecosystem services. The designation recognizes the 430 km² Marine Protected Area as a no-trawl zone.

Simultaneously, Greece has announced the establishment of two new large marine parks that will meet the countries commitment to the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, specifically to protect 30% of its marine area by 2030. This turning point in marine governance in Greece presents a timely opportunity to evaluate two interventions that differ in approach (community-drive vs. top-down) and scale.

 

Research Methodology

The project will aim to explore the effectiveness no-trawl zone implementation through a Theory of Change Approach. The project will use cross-disciplinary methods to examine evidence of the zones effectiveness, with the objective of understanding;

  • whether designation leads to reduction in destructive fishing practices (e.g. through difference in differences evaluation using Open Access Vessel Monitoring Data),
  • maintenance of black coral habitat (habitat mapping)
  • and ecosystem service delivery (interviews and InVEST® ecosystem service modelling).

Fieldwork will be conducted on the island of Fourni. The research will contribute to a monitoring framework to systematically track the implementation and performance (governance, ecological and social) of the zone. This framework will be applied to both the community-led initiative in Fourni and the government-led marine parks, enabling a comparative analysis of their effectiveness.

 

Training

Through these three (governance, ecological and social) research components, the PGR will develop as an interdisciplinary researcher. Training will be provided in social science data collection and qualitative/quantitative data analysis. The individual will develop field experience at Archipelagos Institute’s research base in Fourni.

 

Person Specification

We are seeking a resourceful individual with an enthusiasm to work across disciplines. Experience engaging with communities and conducting qualitative or quantitative data analyses are desirable.

Acceptable first degree subjects: Marine Biology, Conservation and Ecology or other relevant Environmental Science subject

Project code: SEARY_KENT_ARIES26_CASE

All ARIES CASE studentships include a three to 18-month placement with the non-academic CASE partner during their period of study. The placement offers experience designed to enhance professional development.

References

  • Vlachopoulou, E. I., Wilson, A. M., & Miliou, A. (2013). Disconnects in EU and Greek fishery policies and practices in the eastern Aegean Sea and impacts on Posidonia oceanica meadows. Ocean & Coastal Management, 76, 105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2013.02.008
  • Said, A., MacMillan, D. C., Schembri, M., & Tzanopoulos, J. (2017). Fishing in a congested sea: What do marine protected areas imply for the future of the Maltese artisanal fleet? Applied Geography, 87, 245–255. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeog.2017.08.013
  • Alexopoulos, K., Grandjean, T. J., Miliou, A., Tsimpidis, T., & McQuatters Gollop, A. (2025). Is sparse local ecological knowledge accurate enough for policy? A seagrass mapping case study from five Greek islands in the Eastern Aegean Sea. Ocean & Coastal Management, 267, 107627. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2025.107627
  • Seary, R., Santora, J., Tommasi, D., Thompson, A., Bograd, S., Richerson, K., Brodie, S., Holland, D., et al. (2022). Revenue loss due to whale entanglement mitigation and fishery closures. Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-24867-2
  • Seary, R., Spencer, T., Bithell, M., & McOwen, C. (2021). Measuring mangrove‑fishery benefits in the Peam Krasaop Fishing Community, Cambodia. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 248, 106918. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2020.106918

Key Information

  • This studentship has been shortlisted for funding under the UKRI NERC DLA funding scheme and will commence on 1 October 2026. The closing date for applications is 23:59 on 7 January 2026.
  • Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded studentship, which covers fees, maintenance stipend (£20,780 p.a. for 2025/26) and a research training and support grant (RTSG). A limited number of studentships are available for international applicants, with the difference between 'home' and 'international' fees being waived by the registering university. Please note, however, that ARIES funding does not cover additional costs associated with relocation to, and living in, the UK, such as visa costs or the health surcharge.
  • ARIES postgraduate researchers (PGRs) benefit from bespoke training and ARIES provides £2,500 to every student for access to external training, travel and conferences, on top of all Research Costs associated with the project. Excellent applicants from quantitative disciplines with limited experience in environmental sciences may be considered for an additional 3-month stipend to take advanced-level courses. Excellent applicants from quantitative disciplines with limited experience in environmental sciences may be considered for an additional 3-month stipend to take advanced-level courses.
  • ARIES is committed to equality, diversity, widening participation and inclusion in all areas of its operation. We encourage enquiries and applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation and transgender status. Academic qualifications are considered alongside non-academic experience, and our recruitment process considers potential with the same weighting as past experience.
  • All ARIES studentships may be undertaken on a part-time or full-time basis. International applicants should check whether there are any conditions of visa or immigration permission that preclude part-time study. All advertised project proposals have been developed with consideration of a safe, inclusive and appropriate research and fieldwork environment with respect to protected characteristics. If you have any concerns, please contact us.
  • For further information, please contact the supervisor. To apply for this Studentship, follow the instructions at the bottom of the page or click the 'apply now' link.
  • ARIES is required by our funders to collect Equality and Diversity Information from all of our applicants. The information you provide will be used solely for monitoring and statistical purposes; it will remain confidential and will be stored on the UEA SharePoint server. Data will not be shared with those involved in making decisions on the award of Studentships and will have no influence on the success of your application. It will only be shared outside of this group in an anonymised and aggregated form. You will be asked to complete the form by the University to which you apply.
  • ARIES studentships are subject to UKRI terms and conditions. Postgraduate Researchers are expected to live within reasonable distance of their host organisation for the duration of their studentship. Please see https://www.ukri.org/publications/terms-and-conditions-for-training-funding/ for more information.

Apply Now

Apply now via  University of Kent Graduate and Researcher College