Zoe Heard

Marine historical ecology PhD student with SEACHANGE, and within the Exeter Marine research group.

The SEACHANGE project brings together researchers from a broad range of disciplines to understand and quantify the impact of major cultural transitions on marine ecosystem functioning and biodiversity. 

My research focuses on the industrialisation of fisheries in Scotland over the last two centuries, including the evolution of fishing technology, commercial fishery trends, and socio-ecological drivers and repercussions of long-term fishery exploitation in the North Sea. My research also explores the globalisation of seafood markets- with the UK becoming increasingly dependent on seafood imports across the 20th and 21st centuries as domestic supplies declined. I use archival resources including government fisheries records and inquiries, and newspaper articles.

By characterising historical marine ecosystems and fisheries we can generate a deeper understanding of past ecosystem states and the scale of change over time, help to address the shifting baseline syndrome, and inform restoration and conservation strategies.