447: Jennifer Jacquet & Becca Franks | The Future of Fish: Sustainability and Welfare

In this episode, Armen Shirvanian hosts Professors Jennifer Jacquet and Becca Franks to discuss the critical issues surrounding aquaculture, sustainability, and fish welfare. They explore the rapid expansion of aquaculture, its environmental impacts, and the need for a more nuanced understanding of the diverse species involved.

The conversation highlights the gaps in research and the importance of policy changes to address the welfare of aquatic animals and the sustainability of marine ecosystems. This conversation explores the intricate relationships between humans and aquatic life, emphasizing the need for a reimagined understanding of our connection with ocean animals. The discussion highlights the intelligence of octopuses, the impact of the Anthropocene on marine ecosystems, and the role of shame and social approval in influencing consumer behavior regarding seafood.

The speakers advocate for interdisciplinary approaches to ocean conservation and emphasize the importance of emerging research questions that can enhance our understanding and protection of marine life.

Jennifer Jacquet is an American researcher and a professor of environmental science and policy at the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, at the University of Miami. She also works as an associate director of research at Brown University’s Climate Social Science Network.

Becca Franks is Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies. She holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from Columbia University and a B.A. in Anthropology from New York University. Franks’s research and teaching lie at the intersection of environmental and animal protection, specializing in animal behavior, aquatic animal welfare, quantitative methods, and human-animal relationships.