Our research focuses on the human dimensions of marine systems and how social-ecological dynamics shape and are shaped by formal and informal institutions.
Research
We are broadly interested in questions about the design and maintenance of institutions (formal and informal) that support sustainable fisheries and the communities that depend on them. Towards this objective, we work on a range of interdisciplinary research projects that fit within three broad themes:
Coastal Community Adaptation and Resilience: How and why are communities adapting to systemic changes? What strategies enable (disable) the equitable distribution of resources? What are the cumulative impacts of socioeconomic and environmental change on communities’ adaptive capacity?
Seafood Systems and Community Well-being: What happens to seafood when it enters the market (aka unpacking the black box)? What role does seafood trade and distribution play in fostering coastal community health and well-being? How can seafood distribution foster resilience and strengthen local and regional food systems? As part of this work our team leads the Local Catch Network.
Ocean and Coastal Governance: How does governance shape coastal communities’ access to and engagement with marine resources? What forms of policy facilitate collaboration and empower local peoples?
Publications
Love, D. C., Asche, F., Gephart, J. A., Zhu, J., Garlock, T., Stoll, J. S., … & Bloem, M. W. (2023). Identifying opportunities for aligning production and consumption in the US fisheries by considering seasonality. Reviews in Fisheries Science & Aquaculture, 31(2), 259-273.
Silver, J., et al. “Fish, people, and systems of power: understanding and disrupting feedback between colonialism and fisheries science.” American Naturalist (2022).
Love, D., et al. “An overview of retail sales of seafood in the USA, 2017–2019.” Reviews in Fisheries Science & Aquaculture 30.2 (2022): 259-270.
Stoll, J., et al. “Rapid adaptation to crisis events: Insights from the bait crisis in the Maine lobster fishery.” Ambio (2021)
Britsch, M., Leslie, H., and Stoll, J. “Diverse perspectives on aquaculture development in Maine.” Marine Policy 131 (2021): 104697.
Stoll, J., et al. “Alternative seafood networks during COVID-19: Implications for resilience and sustainability.” Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 5 (2021): 97.
Cucuzza, M., Stoll, J., and Leslie, H. “Evaluating the theoretical and practical linkages between ecosystem-based fisheries management and fisheries co-management.” Marine Policy 126 (2021): 104390.
Campbell, L., et al. “From Blue Economy to Blue Communities: reorienting aquaculture expansion for community wellbeing.” Marine Policy 124 (2021): 104361
People
Our group is engaged in interdisciplinary and applied research related to sustainable fisheries, ocean and coastal governance, food systems, and social-ecological dynamics. Our research is informed by real-world engagement with marine resource users, coastal community stakeholders, and policymakers. For this reason, much of our work is based in Maine, where opportunities for regular and ongoing collaboration is most possible. We also work across the United States and, increasingly, around the world.
If you are interested in exploring ways to collaborate or have ideas and/or feedback, please don’t hesitate to reach out: joshua.stoll@maine.edu.
