Mateja Nenadovic

PhD student
Nicholas School of the Environment
Duke University

Research Activites

Mateja's research interests focus on theory of common-pool resources (CPR) and governance of marine social-ecological systems with the emphasis on adaptive co-management and other forms of multi-level governance arrangements. For his dissertation work he is researching the effects of social capital on the governance arrangements and performance of marine protected areas (MPAs) in the Gulf of California. MPAs have been extensively used as an essential conservation tool to protect marine biodiversity and enhance fisheries. However, since their performance has been largely perceived as unsatisfactory, there is a need to better understand some of the governance challenges MPAs currently face. Prior to coming to Duke University, Mateja completed a dual masters degree in marine biology and marine policy at the University of Maine. His research focused on the impacts of mobile fishing gear (such as trawling and dredging) on mud and sand communities and on the role of local ecological knowledge in creating a fishery area closure in the Gulf of Maine.