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Congratulations to our new PhD graduate from UiT – Huu-Luat Do

We are happy to congratulate Huu-Luat Do on successfully completing his PhD at UiT The Arctic University of Norway. He defended his doctoral thesis on 1 October 2025, titled “Economics of Ghost Fishing: Incentives, Behaviour and Management.”

Current position

Huu-Luat is currently a part-time researcher in our research group, where he is working on ongoing projects closely related to his PhD thesis. He also continues to collaborate actively with international research partners.

Research interests

Huu-Luat’s research lies at the intersection of environmental and resource economics, behavioral economics, and applied econometrics. His work examines how production activities shape livelihoods and environmental management, with a particular focus on the non-market valuation of environmental quality, natural resources, and ecosystem services. He is also interested in the cost–benefit analysis of environmental policies, innovation and technology adoption, and the interaction between individual behaviour and institutions.

PhD thesis

In his thesis, Huu-Luat studies how economic incentives and management tools can reduce ghost fishing and encourage more sustainable fishing practices. The thesis brings together multiple approaches, linking behavioral insights with policy-relevant analysis of real-world fisheries challenges.

Selected publications from his PhD thesis

· Do, H. L., & Armstrong, C. W. (2023). Ghost fishing gear and their effect on ecosystem services–Identification and knowledge gaps. Marine Policy, 150, 105528.

· Do, H. L., & Armstrong, C. W. (2025). Navigating transition: understanding fishers’ perceptions of biodegradable fishing gear adoption. Journal of Environmental Economics and Policy, 14(2), 181-198.

· Do, H. L., & Cherry, T. L. (2025). Ghost fishing and the voluntary adoption of biodegradable gear. Resource and Energy Economics, 101534.

We warmly congratulate Huu-Luat on this major milestone and look forward to his continued contributions to research on sustainable fisheries, marine pollution, and environmental policy.

Contact Email: luat.do@luatdo.com

Personal website: www.luatdo.com

Kaito Kanazawa
Graduate Student | The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Iwate University

Kaito Kanazawa is a graduate student from The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences at Iwate University, Japan. He participated in the ArCS-3 (Arctic Challenge for Sustainability Phase 3) program, an international initiative aimed at addressing social and environmental challenges related to Arctic sustainability through interdisciplinary research.

Research Focus at MRE UiT
During his research exchange at MRE UiT, Kaito focused on the resilience of fisheries systems in the face of increasing uncertainties, particularly those arising from climate change and natural disasters. His work explored how fisheries can adapt to and withstand environmental shocks, contributing to the broader discussion on sustainable fisheries management under changing and unpredictable conditions.

Collaboration & Academic Exchange
Kaito actively engaged with the MRE research community by presenting his research findings at seminars and participating in discussions with UiT researchers on fisheries sustainability. These exchanges provided valuable comparative insights, highlighting differences in how uncertainties affecting fisheries are perceived and managed in Japan and Norway. Such discussions enriched his understanding of fisheries governance and resilience strategies across different institutional and environmental contexts.

Exchange Experience
Beyond his research activities, Kaito benefited from the interdisciplinary and international research environment at MRE UiT. The exchange offered him an opportunity to broaden his academic perspective on Arctic and fisheries-related sustainability challenges while engaging with researchers working at the intersection of economics, ecology, and policy.

Research Interests & Future Collaboration
Kaito’s research interests center on fisheries sustainability, resilience to environmental uncertainty, and adaptive management under climate change. He is keen to maintain the connections established during his exchange and looks forward to continued dialogue and potential future collaborations with MRE UiT researchers on sustainable fisheries in a changing climate.

His exchange exemplifies the strong international research collaboration fostered by MRE UiT, bringing diverse perspectives to the study of fisheries sustainability while supporting the development of emerging scholars in marine and resource-related sciences.

The MRE research group warmly welcomes international exchange students who contribute to our collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment.

Mathis Tabouret
Master's Exchange Student | Université Paris-Saclay – École Normale Supérieure Paris-Saclay

Mathis Tabouret is a Master's student in Environmental, Energy and Transport Economics from Université Paris-Saclay – École Normale Supérieure Paris-Saclay. During his 2-month research exchange at MRE UiT, he conducted an in-depth literature review on natural resource taxation with a particular focus on fisheries economics.
Research Focus at MRE UiT
His research examined the complexities of fisheries rent taxation, exploring how such mechanisms can serve beyond simple ecological compensation to finance administrative costs of quota management systems. Despite the theoretical foundation that pure rent taxes are non-distortionary, implementation faces significant challenges from industrial lobbying and community concerns about job losses in fisheries-dependent areas.
Through comparative analysis of international tax frameworks, Mathis assessed which approaches could be most relevant for Norwegian fisheries, bridging global experiences with local contexts.
Collaboration & Impact
Working closely with Claire from the MRE team, Mathis refined his research through both theoretical and empirical approaches to natural resource rent taxation. This collaboration enhanced his comparative perspective and provided valuable insights into Norwegian fisheries economics.
Exchange Experience
Beyond his research contributions, Mathis actively integrated into the MRE research community, participating in discussions on fisheries economics and gaining diverse expertise from colleagues. The exchange provided him with valuable guidance on PhD pathways and research methodologies, while his time in Tromsø offered a unique cultural dimension to the academic experience.
Research Interests & Future Collaboration
Mathis specializes in marine resource economics, maritime transportation, and environmental taxation. He remains interested in pursuing future collaborations on designing economic instruments for sustainable fisheries and shipping decarbonization.
His exchange represents the successful international collaboration that MRE UiT fosters, bringing fresh perspectives to our research community while providing valuable experience for emerging scholars in resource economics.

The MRE research group welcomes international exchange students who contribute to our diverse research environment and collaborative academic culture.

We are pleased to announce that Dana Elizabeth Wright has successfully completed her PhD in Environmental and Resource Economics at UiT The Arctic University of Norway and has begun her professional career as a Senior Economist at Seafish in the UK.

Current Position

Senior Economist at Seafish, a non-departmental public body in the UK that supports the seafood industry. In this role, she leads the economic analysis and preparation of two annual publications: The Economics of the UK Fishing Fleet and Performance of the UK Seafood Processing Industry. She also provides tailored, high-level economic analysis including impact assessments of regulatory changes such as amendments to Skilled Worker Visa requirements and marine spatial squeeze due to expanding wind farms.

Research Interests

Assessing the economic impacts of climate change and extreme weather on fisheries and agriculture.

PhD Thesis Summary

Her doctoral thesis, "Assessing the impacts of climate change and spatial dynamics on the Canadian lobster fishery (Homarus americanus)," provides a comprehensive analysis of how climate change affects fisheries productivity, presenting empirical evidence and methodological innovations that contribute to the development of adaptive management strategies. The research uses econometric and other statistical methods to investigate how rising sea temperatures, shifting species distributions, and extreme weather events are impacting fishery dynamics, threatening lobster populations, and destabilizing fishing community livelihoods.

Key publications

Wright, D., & Liu, Y. (2024). Assessing the impact of environmental variability on harvest in a heterogeneous fishery: a case study of the Canadian lobster fishery. Journal of Environmental Economics and Policy, 13(1), 55-69. 

Analyzing production risk under environmental variability: a case of the Canadian lobster fishery (In review)

Emerging hotspot analysis as a tool for understanding climate impacts: a spatiotemporal study of catch rates in the Canadian lobster fishery (In review)

We congratulate Dana on this significant achievement and look forward to her continued contributions to research in natural resource economics.

Contact: dana-wright@hotmail.com; dana.wright@seafish.co.uk. 

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/dana-wright17

We are pleased to announce that Viktor Minh-Nhat Pham has successfully completed his PhD in Environmental and Resource Economics at UiT The Arctic University of Norway and has begun his postdoctoral journey at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH/FHI).

He is now a postdoctoral Researcher at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH/FHI), with the goal of continuing in academia for as long as possible and remaining at FHI if opportunities allow.

Research Interests

Optimal control in natural resource economics and health economics Burden of Disease modeling and calculations

PhD Thesis Summary

His doctoral research examined how allelopathic encroachment of crowberry (Empetrum nigrum) affects Norwegian reindeer husbandry. The thesis combined a systematic literature review with three bioeconomic models to demonstrate that integrating reindeer feeding strategies with crowberry management optimizes both pasture quality and herd size.

A key finding was that recognizing crowberry's carbon sequestration benefits through optimal control theory justifies reduced control efforts compared to approaches that ignore this ecosystem service.

The research contributes valuable insights into sustainable resource management under climate change, bridging ecology and economics to inform practical solutions for traditional industries.

Key publications 

Pham, N.M., Huynh, T.L.D., Nasir, M.A. (2020). Environmental consequences of population, affluence and technological progress for European countries: A Malthusian view, Journal of Environmental Management, 260, 110-143

Nhat, P. M., Armstrong, C.W., Bråthen KA., Tuomi, M. (2024) Controlling the stock or the habitat – A three-species bioeconomic model of Norwegian reindeer husbandry facing climate change consequences, Journal of Environmental Management, 370

Nhat, P. M., Armstrong, C.W., Charles S.B., Bråthen KA. (2025) When Climate Change Turns Good Plant Bad–A Dynamic Multispecies Model of Reindeer Herding in a Changing Arctic, Environmental and Resource Economics

 We congratulate Viktor on this significant achievement and look forward to his continued contributions to research in natural resource economics and health economics in his new role at NIPH/FHI.

Contact: minh-nhat.pham@fhi.no, phamminhnhat0512@gmail.com

The MRØ seminar in Skjervøy on January 20-21, 2025, gathered members to present ongoing research on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture. This annual event fosters collaboration and knowledge exchange among researchers. Viktoria Kahui, a professor from Otago University, New Zealand, was the invited speaker, sharing insights from her work. Participants also visited the Lerøy processing plant and MOWI facilities, learning about production processes and industry challenges. These site visits provided a practical perspective on research topics discussed during the seminar, strengthening connections between academia and industry.

Biodiversity is declining at rates unprecedented in human history. This suggests the ways we currently use to manage our natural environment are failing, said by Viktoria Kahui, Senior lecturer in Environmental Economics, University of Otago. See more at: https://theconversation.com/granting-legal-personhood-to-nature-is-a-growing-movement-can-it-stem-biodiversity-loss-227336

On September 27-28, the MRØ research group held its annual workshop in Engenes, Ibedstad providing researchers a valuable opportunity to share their work progress, collaborate, and learn from one another. The core focus of the workshop was the presentations of ongoing research by MRØ group members. Researchers within the group showcased their latest findings, methodologies, and challenges. The presentations promoted discussions and constructive feedback, fostering a collaborative research environment. Two esteemed external researchers, Professor Jesper Raakjær from Aalborg University, and Professor Juan Carlos Seijo from Universidad Marista de Mérida, were invited to share their expertise and insights. Their presentations enriched the workshop discussions and added a valuable external perspective to the group's research efforts. A highlight of the workshop was the study trip to the Arctic Aqua Center and an aquaculture site in Engenes. Participants had the opportunity to observe aquaculture practices, gain insights into the challenges of Arctic ecosystems, and learn about sustainable aquaculture techniques. This excursion enriched the participants' understanding of the practical aspects of their research. This event has strengthened the research community within the group and contributed to the advancement of knowledge in various related fields.

Salpage Nesha Dushani is a Senior Lecturer of Ocean University of Sri Lanka. Currently she is serving as the Head of the Department of Fisheries and Marine Sciences in the same University. Nesha was awarded the Philosophiae Doctor in Social Science on 02 June 2022 after successfully completion of her Doctoral defence. The title of her PhD dissertation was "Economic valuation of climate change impacts on ecotourism in Rekawa coastal wetland in Sri Lanka: Application of stated preference techniques". Nesha’s PhD research was financially supported through a grant from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORHED), the Climate Change Project SRV/13/0010. Findings of her research provide empirical evidence suggesting that ecotourism is not only an economically viable industry but also a good ecological policy instrument. It is observed that intended visitation behavior of both foreign and domestic tourists to Rekawa wetland decline under the anticipated climate change scenarios. Also, it highlighted the importance of mangrove protection as an adaptation strategy to minimize the climate change impacts. Tourists’ preferences and willingness to pay for mangrove protection support the formation of an environmental protection fund and use of it in different mangrove protection measures. In conclusion, if increasing impacts of climate change are unattended in a timely fashion with site-specific adaptation measures, future ecotourism in coastal wetlands could be at risk.