Episode 39: Dr Natalie Dowling (CSIRO)

Craig's interview guest in this episode is Dr Natalie Dowling, a Senior Research Scientist with CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere. Natalie's current main area of interest is in developing harvest strategies in data-limited contexts (i.e. for data-poor fisheries), which remains a global scientific and management challenge. You will hear Natalie relate her 'light bulb moment' when, as a 3rd year undergrad, she first realised (with glee) that "there's maths in biology!" and about her Honours project on larval and juvenile barramundi and her PhD on population dynamics of green lip abalone, all done through Flinders University, South Australia. Including some wonderful analogies, Natalie provides explanations of Management Strategy Evaluation, operating models, and harvest strategies and describes her key role in international collaborations that explored, and continue to explore, the best methods and tools for application of these important components of management to data-limited fisheries. She also provides some great advice for secondary students and undergrads who may be considering, or already embarking on, a career in marine science.