Tarsila Seara, Ph.D.
Coordinator of Marine Affairs
Biology and Environmental Science Department
College of Arts and Sciences
Education
Ph.D. Marine Affairs, University of Rhode Island
M.A. Marine Affairs, University of Rhode Island
B.S. Marine Biology, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Brazil
Interests
I have a broad interest in the social aspects of coastal and marine policy and the way natural resource management impact resource users and resource dependent communities. I am particularly interested in human adaptations to environmental changes both natural and anthropogenic, especially in the context of fisheries and fishing communities. I have been using interdisciplinary methods to investigate aspects of socio-economic change among U.S. Northeast fishermen for over 8 years. Prior to moving to the U.S. I studied Brazilian small-scale fishermen’s perceptions of environmental changes under ‘shifting baseline’ theory. Other specific areas of interest are resilience and vulnerability of socio-ecological systems in the context of natural hazards and climate change. I love teaching and engaging with students about current complex issues in marine and coastal conservation and management.
Selected Publications
Seara, T., R. B. Pollnac, and J. J. Poggie (2016). Changes in job satisfaction through time in two major New England fishing ports. Journal of Happiness Studies (in press). Available online 27 August 2016 doi: 10.1007/s10902-016-9790-5
P. M. Clay, L. L. Colburn, and T.Seara (2016). Social Bonds and Recovery: An Analysis of Hurricane Sandy in the First Year after Landfall. Marine Policy (in press). Available online 21 May 2016 doi:10.1016/j.marpol.2016.04.049
Colburn, L. L., M. Jepson, C. Weng, T. Seara, J. Weiss, and J. Hare (2016). Indicators of climate change and social vulnerability in fishing dependent communities along the Eastern and Gulf Coasts of the U.S.: An emerging methodology. Marine Policy (in press). Available online 13 May 2016 doi:10.1016/j.marpol.2016.04.030
Seara, T. , P. M. Clay, and L. L. Colburn (2016). Perceived adaptive capacity and natural disasters: A fisheries case study.Global Environmental Change 38: 49-57.
Pollnac, R. B., T. Seara, L. L. Colburn, and M. Jepson (2015). Taxonomy of USA East Coast fishing communities in terms of social vulnerability and resilience. Environmental Impact Assessment Review 55: 136-143.
Pollnac, R. B., T. Seara, and L. L. Colburn (2015). Aspects of fishery management, job satisfaction, and well-being among commercial fishermen in the Northeast Region of the United States. Society & Natural Resources 28(1): 75-92.
Colburn, L. L., P. M. Clay, T. Seara, C. Weng, and A. Silva (2015), Social and Economic Impacts of Hurricane/Post Tropical Cyclone Sandy on the Commercial and Recreational Fishing Industries: New York and New Jersey One Year Later. Technical Memorandum developed for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Tubino, R. A., A. N. Marques Jr., E. P. Silva, R. J. S. Lobão, T. F. Seara, and C. Monteiro-Neto (2014), "Historical changes and shifting baselines in an artisanal fishery in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil." In M. Haimovici, J. M. Andriguetto Filho, and P. S. Sunye (Eds.), A pesca marinha e estuarina do Brasil: Estudos de caso multidisciplinares (in Portuguese) (pp. 111-123). Rio Grande, Brazil: Editora da FURG.
Pollnac, R. B. & T. Seara (2010). Factors influencing success of Marine Protected Areas in the Visayas, Philippines as related to increasing protected areas coverage. Environmental Management 47 (4): 584-592.