Meet Julia Bronnmann

What research idea lies behind your participation in the Talent Track?

My research will investigate how the ocean and aquaculture production can contribute to food security, sustainability, and human wealth in developed and developing countries. It will provide scientific excellence to the knowledge base for sustainability in human-ocean relations. Thus, I will in particular contribute to SDG 14 “Life below water”, which is one of the goals with the strongest interaction to all other SDGs, and SDG 2 “Zero Hunger”. My research will integrate multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary science with inclusive forms of engagements with societal actors and knowledge holders outside academia.

How did you become interested in your field of research?

Since I was young, I have been interested in the environment and the nature. Moreover; I grew up in a more rural area and got in touch with farmers very soon. I got interested in the distribution of agricultural products and thus studied agricultural economics. In my studies I developed my interest for the fishery sector and in particular in consumers purchase decisions regarding seafood products.

What research question would you above all like to find the answer to? And why is that?

I am especially interested in how and to which extent fish can continue to make a significant contribution to food security in the future. However, it’s not the one question. Science is an ongoing process and there neither exists the one and only interesting question, nor the single answer to a complex research area.

Which impact do you expect the Talent Track will have on your career and on your research field in general?

I am really happy to get the chance to participate in the Talent Track program. With this program I get the chance to present my research ideas to colleagues and different stakeholder groups which can help me to steadily re-think and strengthen the ideas. Thus, I can brighten my mind and learn new perspectives. In general, I believe doing research is a teamwork and with the support of the Talent Track program it’s good to already have a great team in the background.

Which impact do you expect your research to have on the surrounding society?

As the oceans cover the major part of the earth surface and fish and seafood products are among the most traded commodities worldwide my research influences different actors in the supply chain and thus also the direct surrounding. Sustainable managed fish stocks and aquaculture farms are the starting point, these producers will only be profitable in the long run when they adjust the management to the catching the right fish in tolerable quantities, using sustainable fishing techniques to secure the long term conservation of the natural resource fish.

And it influences all of us, as consumers of seafood, as well as the retailers who offer seafood products to us consumers. With our decision to demand more sustainable seafood products we have the power to influence the fishing industry to more sustainable fishing and aquaculture practice. Therefore, there is a need for more education and sensitization of consumers through continuous dialog between different stakeholder groups. This will contribute to the provision of food security for the world’s growing population and will secure the livelihoods of millions of people in developing countries.

My research aims at bioeconomically sound and practicable recommendations for politics, economy, civil society and consumers in order to guarantee a sustainable fish supply.