As a ’90s kid, my romanticized idea of living in San Francisco was inspired by scenes from Full House, Mrs. Doubtfire, and the Princess Diaries. While San Francisco today is nothing like it was in the movies and shows we grew up with, it’s been an adventure with more culture and history than I could have imagined. Luckily, I arrived a week early to explore the city before starting my summer fellowship. I took that time as my opportunity to see sights I hadn’t been to before, get lost, and learn the transportation system.
It has been almost three weeks
since I arrived in the Galapagos and I will be working here until the end of
September (my timeline is a bit more flexible than other CBE Fellows as I have
finished all my classes at MIIS). So far, the experience has been incredible.
The first day I arrived I met with Diana, who is the head of the WildAid
program in the Galapagos. She is also who I am living with and has taken to
referring to herself as my aunt. I originally thought I would be working
primarily under her, but she had slightly different and exciting plans for me.
Environmental Defense Fund
San Francisco, California
June 13th - August 23rd, 2019
This summer, I’ll be living in San Francisco doing research for the Environmental Defense Fund. After taking a week long road camping trip through the Eastern Sierra to get here, I settled in quick to life at the office. EDF’s office overlooks the financial district and allows for a stunning view of the bay. Right away I was assigned two projects. The first project focused on interactions between fisheries and aquaculture. It is commonly claimed that aquaculture will be a beneficial force for fishing communities that are experiencing declines in their fisheries, but there have not been many studies that focus on the interactions between these sectors. I am reviewing the literature to find case studies showing interactions between aquaculture and fisheries to determine when this is the case and when these transitions into aquaculture have not improved livelihoods of fishing communities. I contributed to a database categorizing elements of these case studies so that they can be compared via statistical analysis to inform a paper EDF plans to publish in the fall.
My second project focuses on the various governance
structures and conditions associated with various types of aquaculture. I am conducting a literature review to develop
case studies and to determine what factors contribute to aquaculture that is
sustainable, equitably improves livelihoods, and supports people’s nutritional
needs and what factors foster destructive aquaculture practices.
So far, I have really been enjoying the work environment at EDF. The fisheries solution center ensures that everyone on the team, including the interns and research fellows, are up to date on all of the innovative projects that people are working on all over the world. We also have weekly brown bags for all interns that give overviews of what EDF has worked on as well as some that will focus on professional development skills. It is great and inspiring to work in a setting where everyone is passionate about their projects and willing to collaborate with each other to find the best solutions possible. When I’m not in the office, I’ve been enjoying exploring the city and getting out for some trail runs in the Marin Headlands and areas along the Sierra. I am definitely looking forward to the rest of the summer!
Southern California’s pristine coastline and a work to protect it: I would definitely say this is a superb way to spend my summer. I am here at California Coastal Commission’s South Coast District Office in Long Beach, just a few blocks from the ocean and the Port of Long Beach. Along with 6 other district offices and various departments, we thrive to fulfill the mission of the Commission as a whole: To protect and enhance California’s coast for present and future generations.
The seafood market is a giant market in Taiwan. However, because the ocean is large (about 180,000 km2) and the marine environment is complicated (coral reef environment in the South China Sea, kelp environment in the Ease China Sea, Kuroshio ocean current, and China coastal current), the seafood is various so that it is difficult to be regulated.
According to the Fishery Agency, there are 322 genus species are economic marine species, but only a few species have clear data of fish population to modify its catching. These species include tuna family (Family Scombridae), mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus), and farmed fish (about 12 genus and species). Therefore, a consumer could have various choice in fish but the products could be from boats which are from IUU fishing (Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing).
My summer began with a sunrise visit
of the Tijuana River Estuary at Border Field State Park. I met my new
supervisors at 7AM for a special tour they were hosting for a team of
journalists interested in the binational relations and environmental problems
in the Tijuana River Valley. Following around a film crew and eavesdropping on
interviews was not a conventional first day as an intern, but I was able to see
the landscape we work to protect, as well as understand some of the most
pressing environmental issues. As we explored the park, border patrol radios murmured
over our shoulders and smoke rose from the hills of Tijuana, Mexico, just
barely a stone’s throw away.
