TARA SAYURI WHITTY Social-ecological conservation research • Research training • Consulting • Travel Writing Gulf of Mottama International Advisor [email protected] International Union for Conservation of Nature tswhitty.com Point B Design + Training, University +95 9 429 045540 ,

ABOUT ME I am a social-ecological researcher who seeks to link creative EDUCATION ideas with on-the-ground, socially ethical solutions to conservation challenges. Ph.D. 2014 | M.Sc. 2009 From a background in mammal behavioral ecology, I entered the realm of human- Scripps Institution of Oceanography centered research through my Ph.D. work on the accidental capture of marine University of California San Diego mammals in small-scale fisheries. Immersion in coastal communities convinced me that conservation must be a social process, and I am now one of the (too few) B.A. 2005 experts on human dimensions of marine megafauna conservation. I am genuinely Ecology & Evolutionary Biology passionate about improving how conservation functions in developing countries, Environmental Studies Certificate using my extensive on-the-ground experience (primarily in Southeast Asia) to train Princeton University young researchers, conduct novel research, and evaluate projects.

FOCUS AREAS Developing and applying innovative, effective approaches to conservation research, planning, implementation, and evaluation, particularly through the use of Design Thinking. Topics include: • Interface between coastal conservation & communities, particularly ensuring ethical and effective conservation action through meaningful participation of local communities • Assessment and mitigation of marine megafauna accidental capture (bycatch) in small-scale fisheries • Documenting previously unstudied populations of tropical coastal & aquatic marine mammals • Building local capacity for conservation research and action in developing countries • Participatory, qualitative, social-ecological evaluation of conservation projects

CURRENT WORK Gulf of Mottama International Advisor, IUCN | 2017-present Main project: Managing and implementing IUCN’s activities for the Gulf of Mottama Project, a large-scale, multi-sector project on integrated, sustainable management of coastal natural resources in the Gulf of Mottama.  Working closely with Point B Design + Training, a Design Thinking research and training lab based at Mawlamyine University, to apply participatory, creative approaches for innovative and effective research, management, and training. This has motivated the establishment of the Myanmar Coastal Conservation Lab by the Point B team. Research Training Management Plan • Developed & currently implementing a capacity-building program for Based on stakeholder consultations, students and faculty at Mawlamyine and Bago Universities, to strengthen completed the drafting of the Gulf of local capacity for management-relevant research Mottama Coastal Natural Resource • Supervising five research teams at local universities Management Plan, to be • Mentoring Myanmar Coastal Conservation Lab team at implemented by local governments Point B Design + Training and multi-stakeholder groups • Hiring contractors for specific technical trainings (including communities)

Research • Conducting research with (and training) local research teams:  Marine mammals: Uncovered previously undocumented presence of 2 species in the Gulf of Mottama; Local Ecological Knowledge interviews of local fishing communities; initial boat surveys planned for October 2018  Participatory, qualitative evaluation of project impacts in communities using “Most Significant Change” approach • Developed & implementing integrated research strategy for whole Gulf of Mottama Project, including links to communities and decision-makers Other projects and outputs • Shared Resources Joint Solutions - Myanmar Project– training local community organizations on gender issues and analysis as related to natural resource management. Output: Training package, report. • Presentation: “Integrated Coastal Management: An Introduction” for Workshop on Initiation of the development of the National Integrated Coastal Resources Management Program. Presented to national and state/regional Coastal Resource Management Committees. Nay Pyi Taw, 2018. • Wint Hte, Whitty, T.S. 2018. Applying Design Thinking in Co-creating Marine Conservation with Communities. Poster presentation. International Marine Conservation Congress 5. Kuching, Malaysia. 2018. TARA SAYURI WHITTY curriculum vitae 2 CURRENT EXPERIENCE cont’d Consultant on rapid assessment of marine Human Communities Technical Advisor megafauna bycatch in the Philippines | 2017-present 2016-present Pacific Island Fisheries Center, LAMAVE Convention on Migratory Species’ Dugong MOU Project Developing and guiding the implementation of a toolkit for Part of the Technical Advisor group that developed assessing sea turtle and other marine megafauna bycatch in the the Dugong & Seagrass e-resource toolkit; Philippines; including development of field team training developed the Human Communities stream and program, guidance on project implementation and future steps delivered orientation to users • Technical reports; training materials; draft toolkit and manual • Human Communities stream of Dugong & Seagrass (currently being tested) Research Toolkit

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE National Science Foundation (NSF) Science, Engineering, and Education for Sustainability (SEES) Postdoctoral Fellow | 2014-2017 | Gulf of California Marine Program, Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation, Scripps Institution of Oceanography; Too Big To Ignore global network for small-scale fisheries research Focused on how we evaluate “success in conservation,” as applied to the concept of stewardship in coastal communities. Theoretical work on stewardship plus fieldwork in Mexico and Myanmar: Stewardship framework Co-developed a framework and definition for stewardship of environmental resources; research group co- coordinator for Too Big To Ignore’s Stewardship & Small-scale Fisheries research cluster, included co-organizing a workshop and conference session on stewardship • Bennett, N.J., Whitty, T.S., Finkbeiner, E., Pittman, J., Bassett, H., Gelcich, S., Allison, E.H. 2018. Environmental stewardship: A conceptual review and analytical framework. Environmental Management, 61(4). • Bennett, N.J., et al. (Whitty T.S. author 15 out of 25) 2017. An appeal for a code of conduct for marine conservation. Marine Policy, 81 • In prep Whitty, T.S. , Bennett, N.B., Finkbeiner, E.M., Bassett, H.R., Allison, E. Stewardship and small-scale fisheries: Promoting leadership and active participation in conservation • “Stewardship and small-scale fisheries: Promoting active leadership and participation in conservation.” Talk. International Marine Conservation Congress 4, St. John’s, CA. 2016. • “How can fishers help ‘save the dolphins’? Moving toward community stewardship of marine mammals.” Talk. Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation. Honolulu. 2015. • “Small-scale fisheries and stewardship: Communities as leaders in conservation and management.” Public presentation. EcoAlianza Speaker Series. Loreto and Ensenada Blanca, Mexico. 2015. • Short course: Approaches & tools for studying social-ecological systems. CMBC Master’s of Advanced Study Program. 2015.

Stakeholder perspectives on the future of Exploring potential modes of coastal conservation in the Upper Gulf of California, stewardship in Myanmar with Point B Design + with a focus on the Critically Endangered Vaquita Training, IUCN, Fauna & Flora International with San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research Human-centered research on communities and Interviewed diverse stakeholders about vaquita (Phocoena conservation/fisheries management in the context sinus) conservation, including its impacts and possible outlook of Myanmar’s changing policies (increased for the future. Developed concept of counterproductive decentralization). Trained 3 young researchers. conservation pathways. Trained 2 young researchers. • 2018. “Evaluating perspectives on the Locally • In prep: Whitty, T.S., Young, S., Martinez, A.H., Varga, V. Managed Marine Area process in Don Pale and Lin Counterproductive conservation pathways: Lessons from vaquita Long.” Report for FFI* conservation. • 2017. “Social potential for mud crab co- • In prep: Technical report management in the Gulf of Mottama.” Report for • “A tangled net: Counterproductive conservation pathways in the Gulf of Mottama Project* case of vaquita conservation.” Talk. International Marine • 2017. “Fisher experiences in the market chain in Conservation Congress 5. Kuching, Malaysia. Daminseik, Setse Beach.” Report for Point B, • Public reports and presentations to communities Mawlamyine Uni., Thanbuzayat Dept of Fisheries • Public presentations: “Las perspectivas de los actores sobre el • Public reports shared to communities for “Social futuro de la conservación en el Alto Golfo de California.” San potential” and “Fisher experiences” project Felipe, Mexico. 2016; “Tiny Porpoise, Big Mess: Perspectives on • Short course: Introduction to Marine Conservation Vaquita Conservation” for Aquarium of the Pacific and Science. For students and faculty at Mawlamyine American Cetacean Society-Los Angeles chapter. 2017. University. 2017. • Blog posts for Deep Sea News, Salt Magazine *Co-authors: Wint Hte, Yin Yin Htay, Aung Naing Soe TARA SAYURI WHITTY curriculum vitae 3 PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE cont’d Conservationscapes: Dissertation Project 2009-2014 Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation, Scripps Institution of Oceanography (CMBC-SIO) Advisors: Lisa T. Ballance, Paul Dayton Developed a novel social-ecological approach (“conservationscape”) to evaluate bycatch of marine megafauna in small-scale fisheries; applied conservationscape approach to evaluate Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) bycatch in Thailand (Trat Province), the Philippines (Malampaya Sound; Guimaras Strait), and Indonesia (Mahakam River), using boat-based line transect surveys, photo-ID, and community interviews; developed extensive and enduring network of local collaborators (including NGOs, government agencies, universities). Collaborators: WWF-Philippines; Yayasan Konservasi Rare and Aquatic Species of Indonesia; Guimaras State College; University of St. La Salle-Bacolod; Silliman Institute for Environmental and Marine Science; Thai Department of Marine and Coastal Resources; San Francisco State Uni.; Tropical Marine Research for Conservation

Key outputs: • Trained multiple local field teams (24 field assistants) • Conducted Information Education Campaign at 9 villages in Malampaya Sound, Philippines • Whitty, T.S. 2018. Conservationscape: An interdisciplinary framework for linking species-focused conservation to human systems. Frontiers in Ecology and Environment, 16(1). • Whitty, T.S. 2016. Multi-methods approach to characterizing the magnitude, impact, and spatial risk of Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) bycatch in small-scale fisheries in Malampaya Sound, Philippines. Marine Mammal Science, 32(3). • Whitty, T.S. 2015. Governance potential for cetacean bycatch mitigation in small-scale fisheries: A comparative assessment of four sites in Southeast Asia. Applied . • Whitty, T.S. 2014. Conservationscapes: An interdisciplinary approach to assessing cetacean bycatch in small-scale fisheries. Dissertation. • Technical reports for each site, shared with collaborators and government agencies • “Conservationscapes of marine mammal bycatch: An interdisciplinary study of the interface between small-scale fisheries and conservation.” Talk. 2nd World Small-scale Fisheries Congress, Merida, Mexico. 2014. • “Using conservationscapes to understand management outlooks: A comparative study of Irrawaddy dolphin bycatch in small- scale fisheries.” Talk. International Marine Conservation Congress 3. Glasgow, Scotland. 2014. • “Local-level governance of small-scale fisheries: Variations on a theme across four sites in Southeast Asia.” Talk. Cultural Geography of Marine Resource Management Special Session. Association of American Geographers Annual Meeting. Los Angeles. 2013 • Seminars on conservationscapes for San Diego State University Marine Ecology and Biology Student Association, 2013; Western Philippines University, Palawan, Philippines, 2011 • Blog post for Deep Sea News. 2014. • Radio interview with Sustainable Lens Radio. 2013.

Other activities Small-scale & Artisanal Fisheries Research Network (SAFRN): Founder & co-chair | 2010-2017 Student-led research group at CMBC-SIO. Organized international workshop and public symposium; co-developed research toolkit, coordinated field testing by three research teams; maintained website, blog; update Facebook page • Snapshot Assessment Protocol (SnAP) for small-scale fisheries Community-Centred Conservation (C3) Madagascar: Research associate | 2009 Developed interview-based assessment of marine megafauna capture in small-scale fisheries; trained local research team. • “Rapid assessment of marine megafauna capture, fishing effort, and socioeconomic and cultural drivers of artisanal fisheries in Northern Madagascar.” Talk. World Small-scale Fisheries Congress, Bangkok. 2010. Tropical Marine Research for Conservation: Visiting researcher | 2009 Joined the first research survey that confirmed the presence of Irrawaddy dolphins in Iloilo Strait, Philippines Pro Delphinus: Visiting researcher | 2008 Conducted fieldwork on marine otters (Lontra felina) in Peru; data management, analysis, writing up previous research • Mangel, J., Whitty, T. et al. 2011. Latitudinal variation in diet and patterns of human interaction in the marine otter. Marine Mammal Science, 27(2). TARA SAYURI WHITTY curriculum vitae 4 OTHER ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES Previous teaching and mentoring: • Advisor: Scripps Undergraduate Research Fellow. Evaluating the comparative environmental perceptions and engagement of fishers based on residence time in Malampaya Sound, Philippines. 2016 • Committee Member for 2 CMBC-SIO Master’s of Advanced Study students • Mentor for 2 CMBC-SIO Master’s of Advanced Study students • Teaching Assistant for Marine Mammal Biology undergraduate course, University of California San Diego

Reviewer for: Conservation Biology; Frontiers in Marine Science; Maritime Studies; Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic ; Natural Resources Forum; Aquatic Mammals; Applied Geography

Scientific Committee and Human Dimensions Session Chair: 21st Biennial Conference for the Society of Marine Mammalogy. San Francisco, 2015.

Student forum organizer: 2nd World Small-scale Fisheries Congress, Merida, Mexico. 2014.

Third Southeast Asia Marine Mammal Symposium: Gave a training in bycatch assessment; contributing editor to Hines, E., Ponnampalam, L.S., Hisne, F.I.J., Whitty, T.S., Jackson-Ricketts, J., Kuit, S.H., Acebes, J. (Eds.) Report of the Third Southeast Asian Marine Mammal Symposium (SEAMAM III). UNEP/CMS Secretariat, Bonn, Germany. 643 pp. CMS Technical Series No. 32.

FUNDING PROCURED TECHNICAL SKILLS • NSF SEES Postdoctoral fellowship: $419,366 Certifications, Trainings: AAUS Scientific Diver (with NAUI (2014) Rescue Diver); SIO Motorboat Operator Training Course • National Geographic Society-Waitt Grant: Research methods: Boat-based marine mammal surveys; cetacean $13,600 (2011) photo-identification; local ecological knowledge surveys; rapid • U.S. Marine Mammal Commission: $28,500 bycatch assessment; various interview methodologies (2011) Language: English (native); Spanish (advanced); French (advanced); • Waitt Foundation for “Coordinating Research Tagalog (intermediate); Bahasa Indonesia (intermediate); Thai for Sustaining Artisanal Fisheries” (co-principal (beginner, written/spoken); Burmese (beginner, written/spoken) investigator): $100,000 (2010) Japanese (beginner, written/spoken) Computer skills: MS Office, QGIS, Distance 6.0, Basic R, video FELLOWSHIPS & HONORS editing (Final Cut Pro) • NSF SEES Postdoctoral fellowship (2014-2017) • J. Stephen Leatherwood Award, 20th Biennial Conference on Marine Mammal Biology (2013) • UCSD Graduate Student Association Interdisciplinary Research Award (2013) • Fulbright U.S. Student Scholar, Philippines Program (2011) • NSF Graduate Fellowship (2008-2011) • NSF Interdisciplinary Graduate Education & Research Training Associate, Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation (2007-2008) • San Diego Diversity Fellowship (2007-2008)

LONG-TERM VISION OTHER INTERESTS Contributing to more ethical and effective conservation, and Ocean playtime (surfing, SUP*, diving, swimming) continuing to learn and experience remarkable things from working Traveling around the world, via: Travel writing • Independent consulting for conservation projects/organizations, Trail running on project design and evaluation, research training, and Photography facilitation Autism awareness • Further applying Design Thinking to conservation work Rights for women, children, refugees • Continued growth of Myanmar Coastal Conservation Lab Sustainable fashion, esp. bright tropical prints • Mentoring young researchers in developing countries Vegetarian cuisine • Facilitating sharing of diverse perceptions Dogs for more equitable representation in conservation narratives *including paddling my • Regional-scale marine mammal bycatch inflatable SUP on the evaluation and mitigation project in rivers and flooded Southeast Asia, with a focus on rice fields near social-ecological work with Mawlamyine communities • Freelance writing (conservation, travel)