I am the McCurdy Scholar at the Duke University Marine Lab. I earned my PhD at the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, UCSB, where I worked in the development of spatial bio-economic models to analyze the role of fish spillover and fishermen cooperation in the design of Territorial Use Rights in Fisheries (TURF’s). Before UCSB, I worked for two years at the “Natural History Society Niparajá”, where I collaborated with members of the local community, scientists and local authorities to develop the public use program of Cabo Pulmo National Park and participated in numerous marine conservation efforts within the Baja California peninsula. I obtained a masters’ degree in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation from Scripps Institution of Oceanography and a bachelors’ degree in Marine Biology from the Autonomous University of Baja California Sur, México.
MY RESEARCH
I am broadly interested on developing management tools that can help solve and prevent over-exploitation problems in marine ecosystems. Focusing primarily on artisanal fisheries, my research seeks to understand the social and ecological consequences of different spatial management tools to inform policy-making. I apply novel methodologies by combining tactics from diverse disciplines, including ecology, economics and anthropology. Through a combination of theoretical simulations and empirical methods, I aim to assess the effect that different management institutional arrangements have on socio-ecological systems and propose innovative solutions to marine conservation problems.
PROJECTS
ARTISANAL
FISHERIES
Small-scale fisheries are the main source of income and food of thousands of coastal communities in the developing world. Thus, maintaining healthy small-scale fisheries is crucial from both a social and ecological perspective. My work focuses on analyzing the performance of existing small-scale fisheries management schemes and find innovative ways to improve coastal communities livelihoods.
MARINE CONSERVATION
Our planet is facing an unprecedented challenge. As climate changes, the urgency to develop management tools capable of adapting to those changes increases. The goal of my research is to help in the creation of management tools capable of maintaining social-ecological systems resilient to climate change.
TERRITORIAL USE RIGHTS IN FISHERIES
Territorial Use Rights on Fisheries are sections of coastal areas assigned to particular group of fishermen for their exclusive use. Although it's been shown that this can be an effective tool for small scale fisheries management, we still lack an understanding of the design characteristics that affect their performance. Combining theoretical and empirical approaches, my research aims to contribute to our basic understanding of the social and ecological dynamics of these systems. You can see our publications here and here.
My ongoing work aims to expand this research to the development of guidelines for the design of TURF networks.
Top Predator Conservation in the Islas Marias Biosphere Reserve
The Islas Marias Archipelago is a Biosphere Reserve and a UNESCO world heritage site. Due to it's ecological role, these islands are currently considered priority for marine conservation research efforts in the Mexican Pacific.
I am coordinating a project that aims to provide the first comprehensive analysis of predator abundance, diversity and movement in the area, with a particular focus on elasmobranch species. As a collaborative effort between TNC, the Caselle Lab at UC Santa Barbara, Pelagios-Kakunja A.C. and Prozona- Grupo Cleofas we've so far performed two expeditions to in March 2018 and July 2018.
2019
Cisneros-Mata M. A., A. Steinkruger, E. Aceves-Bueno (in press). Population model of tototaba. Book chapter in "Estado actual del recurso pesquero totoaba". Chapter 6. INAPESCA, Mexico.
2018
Viana D. F , S. Gelcich, E. Aceves-Bueno, B. Twohey , S. D. Gaines (2018). Challenges and solutions for managing small-scale fisheries targeting mobile species in densely populated areas. Conservation Biology.
2017
2015
2012
Aceves-Bueno, E., M. de la Garza-Treviño and R. López-Espinosa de los Monteros. 2012. Retos de las Áreas Naturales protegidas frente al desarrollo turístico en Baja California Sur. Book Chapter in: Ibañez R. (editor). Turismo y educación ambiental en Áreas Naturales Protegidas de Baja California Sur. UABCS, Academia Mexicana de Investigación Turística y Elaleph. Buenos Aires, Argentina. ISBN: 978-897-1701-47-6. Pages: 57- 77.
