A fish-story
Sturla Kvamsdal grew up in a fishing village on the island of Senja and is writing his doctoral dissertation on the management of fishery resources. However, he does not posses a special enthusiasm for fish.
09.06.2008 10:32 - Kristin Risvand Mo (text and photo)
Sturla Kvamsdal
- I received a big enough dose of fish in Senja. We used to pinch stockfish from the drying rack for fish and then sit down and eat them, tells the Department of Economics research scholar who moved to Voss when he was 5 year old.
What is your Academic Background?
- My educational background is mathematics. I have a master degree in applied mathematics from the University of Bergen (UIB), where my studies combined both economics and mathematics. Towards the end of my studies, I applied for a position at the Centre for Fisheries Economics at SNF.
- Professor Leif Sandal, one of my advisors at UIB, was a contributing factor in my decision to apply for the position. I ended up not getting the job, but Rögnvaldur Hannesson offered me a four month engagement at SNF in which I could work towards a doctoral project.
Why research?
- It never occurred to me early in my studies that I would be doing research. However in the course of doing my master's studies, I discovered that this way of doing work fit me. Research is an independent job, but at the same time you manage to be a part of developing something.
What are you working on now?
- The main topic for my project is multi-dimensional models of fisheries, with a focus on management. Right now, I am working with protected marine areas.
Can you explain?
- The idea of marine protected areas became popular in the 1990s as a way of managing fish. Essentially you close off a geographical area for catching. These areas are an attempt to protect biologically important areas, biodiversity, and protect against over fishing. Over exploitation and eradication are seldom positive either from a biological or economic standpoint.
- I am trying to look at the economic costs associated with these areas by researching and trying to fix a value to what it costs to operate a protected area. The goal is to find a balance between protecting biological factors and employing fish resources in an economically justifiable way.
What are your research interests?
- Modelling natural resources, control theory, and optimisation. Since starting at NHH, I have also developed a fascination for game theory.
What do you think about the Academic environment?
- I am linked to the Centre for Fisheries Economics and have spent a lot of time on learning new academic jargon. There are lots of friendly people and I have definitely profited from the academic activities at the department.
What is your favourite academic book?
- John B. Fraleigh's A First Course in Abstract Algebra. This is the book which first caused me to be become fascinated with mathematics. I should also mention Richard Young's An introduction to Hilbert Space. It deals with function analysis. Functional analysis is a difficult field of study, but when I studied this book I gained a broader perspective on mathematics. On the subject of Economics, I should point out Environmental Economics (Hanley, Shogren, White), the first book I read within this field.
What do you have on your bedside table?
- Armand V by Dag Solstad. It is a strange and complicated book, and Solstad is a strange and complicated man! I have read Solstad's football book and am familiar with his literature and the way he writes.
If you had to choose another occupation, what would it be?
- It would have to be working with cultural arrangements in one form or another. I have been involved in Vossajaszz for a long time.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
- Probably in Norway. Hopefully I'll be working within the field of research.
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