Changing attitudes towards sustainable seafood

Jenni Jones – MSc Student, University of Portsmouth

We have awarded a research grant to Jenni Jones who is looking into regional perceptions of sustainable seafood and how we might potentially change attitudes in the future.

Having graduated with a BSc in Environmental and Geographical Studies with History (2006), Jennifer turned to teaching as her first career. She became a senior teacher and trainer at one of the leading language schools in the country, and in 2015 co-founded a free class and university scholarship programme for refugees and asylum seekers; to date, 15 individuals have been supported into higher education and many more into employment.

Jenni is a strong believer in the power of individuals and community groups to make a difference. A life-long resident of the Solent region, she currently volunteers with Southsea Beachwatch and is a Marine Champion with the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust

Research Project

Sustainability and the health of the oceans has never been so high-profile but public knowledge about issues like sustainable fishing is still patchy at best. For her research Jenni will be working in partnership with the Just One Ocean and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, who aim to promote sustainable fishing in the Solent as part of their Heritage Lottery-funded project, Secrets of the Solent. The research aims to critically assess the perceptions and attitudes of the public and restaurateurs towards locally sourced sustainable seafood. In turn this will help identify the most effective ways to introduce the ‘Great Solent Seafood’ brand to the region.

Jenni’s research will involve a comprehensive survey and interviews with all seafood ‘stakeholders across the Solent region. The outcome could help to protect the Solent’s important ecosystem and biodiversity into the future by inspiring positive change with consumers, restaurateurs and the Solent fishing community.