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WWF Experts
Kimberly Davis
Director - US Bycatch Initiative Marine Fisheries Program
Education
- MEM - Master of Environmental Management, Duke University
- BA - Geography, Dartmouth College
Areas of Expertise
- Domestic and international fisheries management
- Fisheries trade advocacy
- Illegal fishing
- Tuna fisheries management
- Salmon trade and management
- Marine protected areas
"One of the most important things we can do is cultivate people's fascination with the ocean and the amazing creatures that live below the surface."
About Kimberly Davis:
Kim leads WWF's efforts to employ field, policy and marketing strategies to reduce fisheries bycatch around the world. Her master's degree in environmental management and many years of experience have made her a respected authority on marine conservation. She approaches her job, however, with the understanding that fishing is critical to human economies and sustenance. So Kim's focus is on encouraging sustainable practices that can improve fishing practices to reduce bycatch while still allowing for fishermen to catch fish.
One promising improvement that Kim is promoting is the use of circle hooks. Circle hooks have proven as effective as traditional hooks for catching fish, while reducing unintended bycatch of marine turtles by as much as 90% in many field tests. "WWF is working with fisherman around the Pacific to improve fishing practices country by country to reverse the decline of the most vulnerable marine turtles along their migratory routes," says Kim. "This new research is already boosting efforts by conservationists, fishermen and government leaders to help coastal communities fish smarter."
