 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Juan Carlos Castilla, Ph.D.
Professor of Marine Ecology |
|
|
|
Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile
Grupo Ecologia Marina
Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas
Alameda 340/CASILLA 11-D
Santiago
CHILE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EXPERTISE: |
|
|
|
MPA/ Coastal marine reserves
Management areas
Benthic resource enhancement
Co-management
Sustainable use of marine resources
Public/fishermen education
Marine preserves
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
< back |
|
|
|
INTERVIEW |
|
|
|
An interview with Juan Carlos Castilla, recipient of the 2006 BBVA Foundation Award for Scientific Research in Ecology and Conservation Biology:
BBVA (Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria) is the second largest bank in Spain, and its foundation specializes in promoting and recognizing scientific research in the areas of social science, biomedicine and the environment. Castilla's co-recipient is Jeremy Jackson, a professor at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at University of California San Diego. The two split a cash prize of $658,200 ($500,000 Euros) awarded at ceremonies in Madrid.
The BBVA Award is in recognition of: "outstanding contributions to understanding and articulating human impacts on marine ecosystems worldwide, including the disappearance of coral reefs, the collapse of fisheries, and the significance of marine biodiversity losses to humanity. Both recipients are global leaders in efforts to develop effective solutions to the plight of our oceans and their biodiversity."
In a written interview with the Pew Fellows Program, Dr. Castilla comments on the significance and meaning of the BBVA award:
What does the BBVA Award mean to you? How do you feel it recognizes your work?
Well, to be honest, I feel really great! It is nice to be recognized after so many years of hard work, particularly because my achievements are not only personal but embrace dozens of students, post docs and colleagues. I have received this distinction also on their behalf, so indicated during the public award ceremony in Madrid. Moreover, the BBVA Foundation award in Ecology is the highest international award in this area in the world and therefore it is extremely rewarding.
You have been recognized for your contributions to our understanding of "human impacts on marine ecosystems worldwide and your leadership in developing effective solutions for protection of marine biodiversity." What do you consider your major contribution to this area?
I think that the major contribution to the area is that through thirty-five years of basic and applied work with coastal ecosystems, including humans as central actors, I (we) have been able to close the so-called “Circle of Knowledge.” Through our work, we have produced what I consider excellent basic experimental marine ecology work and have been able to apply that knowledge to the solution of practical small-scale fishery problems in Chile. This work has contributed to the development of a new joint paradigm between conservation and adaptive management and subsequently introduced those ideas and concepts into legislation. The result has helped to solve the Tragedy of the Commons regarding the exploitation of benthic resources in Chile. This is not an easy problem to solve and has seldom been achieved in marine systems around the world. The beauty of it is that the solutions are rooted in basic experimental science, where indeed lays my heart. Recently we have demonstrated that adaptive management can be combined with the conservation of coastal systems and with the enhancement of biodiversity. To me, this is a breakthrough model regarding how to approach these complex problems.
In the developing world, where I live, we must be creative and proactive regarding approaches to biodiversity and the rational exploitation of natural renewal resources. Marine Protected Areas (no-take) is just one of the tools. People depend on coastal resources and we cannot honestly ask them to give up their food to keep “biodiversity alive.” Perhaps this is a luxury of the developed world. We do not have it. We have to work even harder! My work has contributed to that direction and now is expanding in Latin America. I feel proud of it and also excited to see thousands of Chilean artisanal fishers participating in these new programs, which include Management and Exploitation Areas (MEA's) and Territorial Users Fishery Rights (TURF's). They feel that they are part of a “bottom up” proactive solution--- and they are proud of that role. What can be better for a marine scientist than to see the face of happy fishers, due to collective scientific and new governance approaches?
We indeed have developed new ways to protect biodiversity, but taken into account fishers as central actors in the play. Now we are incorporating the general public and particularly school children. It has been a different sequence to approach marine conservation (biodiversity) and management jointly, and so far there are indications we are succeeding.
How does it feel as a Chilean to receive this honor?
Also great!! I live in a small country at the end of the world. I am proud of my country, my people, Pablo Neruda and Gabriela Mistral, and above all the path we are following to get out of poverty. We are setting examples. Along my academic career I have seen a lot of progress in this direction. I feel part of this effort. The international honor received recognizes exactly that. Perhaps it indicates that we might help establish a Chilean way to approach exiting challenges?
|
|
|
|
< back |
|
|
|
|
