Qualifications: M. Sc. – Marine Biology and Ecology, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, AUS, 2018.
M.Sc. – Zoology (Major: Animal Physiology), University of Mumbai, IND, 2014.
PADI Divemaster, 2014.

Email: prerana@dakshin.org

Profile: Prerana’s formal education in Zoology and professional training as a SCUBA diver provided the groundwork for developing the passion and a career in marine sciences. Her interests are in the areas of marine ecology, wildlife conservation, and human dimensions of natural resources. She is interested in research that can inform conservation actions as well as the sustainable use of natural resources. Currently, what piques her interest are the biological and ecological features of small pelagic fishes. She finds her self wanting to learn more about how their populations get influenced by these features and physical attributes of the ocean. 

Baitfish, a collective of small-sized fishes, is a pre-requisite for the operation of a sustainable fishery practised in the Lakshadweep called the Pole and Line Tuna Fishery. Baitfish get exploited to some extent; hence at Dakshin, she is working on a monitoring plan to study the population patterns of these baitfish and get a better understanding of their ecology. This way, the Pole and line fishery can be sustained, without stressing the baitfish populations. 

In Lakshadweep, we work closely with the local fisher community, which she enjoys. She has a pulse and personality of someone who loves to work through challenges and she likes working to better herself. Right now, she is engaged in finding the most elegant way to write about her work, among other things. 

Publications:

Reports

Dakshin Foundation. Island Sustainability Pathways: Towards Participatory Governance in the Lakshadweep Islands. Dakshin Foundation, 2021.

Popular articles

Gawde, Prerana, and Ajithraj, R.(In press). “Staying Invested in Small-Scale Fisheries: Celebrating IYAFA 2022 With Lakshadweep’s Pole and Line Tuna Fishery.” Samudra Report, International Collective in Support of Fishworkers, Oct. 2022.

C.K, Fousiya and Prerana Gawde. “Valuing a hidden octopus fishery in the Lakshadweep.” The Bastion, Sept. 2020, https://thebastion.co.in/ideas/valuing-a-hidden-octopus-fishery-in-lakshadweep.

Blog posts

Prerana Gawde and Ajithraj R. Tiding Over These Uncertain Times – Lakshadweep, the Project and Us. 2021.

Outreach

Baitfish Resources of Lakshadweep (English & Malayalam)

Fish for the Future calendar series

Conference presentation

Gawde, Prerana, Ishaan Khot, et al. “Addressing methodological gaps in quantifying small schooling fishes: A case study of Lakshadweep’s baitfish resources.“ The Student Conference on Conservation Science, Bengaluru, India. Sept, 2022. Poster presentation.

Photography

Gawde, P. Photo archive of slugs from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 2014-2016. Field Guide to the Sea Slugs of India by Deepak Apte and Digant Desai, Bombay Natural History Society, 2017, p. 245, 246, 270, 273, 286. 302, 316, 382, 408.