Abbie Topping – August 2026
We’re very pleased to share that Santa Mervien Alexandra, has recently started her PhD at the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS), University of Wollongong. Her research focuses on Indonesia and its role in international fisheries governance, with the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) at the centre of the research.
The research will explore how Indonesia’s diverse fisheries — from small-scale and artisanal fisheries through to large commercial fleets — shape its interests and participation within the IOTC, particularly in areas such as quota allocation, compliance and decision-making.
Indonesia provides a particularly interesting case study. As one of the world’s largest fishing and tuna-producing countries, and an increasingly active voice in international fisheries governance, its experience can provide valuable insights into some of the wider challenges facing Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs).
An important part of the research will be understanding Indonesia’s position as a coastal State within the IOTC, including how its fisheries interests and priorities are represented in regional decision-making. More broadly, the research will consider what Indonesia’s experience can tell us about the position of coastal States within RFMOs and their ability to bring their interests and priorities effectively to the table. This is particularly important given the vital role fisheries play in food security, livelihoods and economic development across many coastal States.
The research also has a strong personal connection for Vien, who grew up in both Indonesia and Germany and has professional experience in fisheries governance in both countries. These experiences have shaped not only her interest in international fisheries governance, but also her motivation to strengthen the voice and position of coastal States and contribute to a system where the benefits of shared fisheries are distributed more fairly.
At SFACT, we believe that developing the next generation of fisheries professionals and researchers is an important part of strengthening fisheries governance globally. Vien said ‘I’m incredibly grateful to SFACT for supporting my PhD and making this opportunity possible!’ We’re therefore incredibly proud to support this PhD and look forward to following the research as it develops.
Congratulations and best of luck on this exciting journey!
