Managing changing coastlines: Benjamin Lundu's postgraduate journey

1 Apr 2025

• Benjamin reflects on how his background in fisheries and aquaculture management shaped his approach to coastal and marine conservation.
• He highlights the value of practical, hands-on learning, including fieldwork and time at sea aboard the RV Tom Crean.

Benjamin Lundu recently graduated with an MSc in Applied Coastal and Marine Management from University College Cork (UCC), celebrating with fellow classmates at UCC's spring conferring ceremonies.

With a background in fisheries and aquaculture management, Benjamin joined the MSc in Applied Coastal and Marine Management postgraduate programme to build on his expertise and develop geospatial skills for sustainable marine resource management.

Benjamin was awarded a prestigious Ireland – Africa Fellowship, which aims to nurture future leaders, develop in-country capacity to achieve national Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) goals and build positive relationships with Ireland.

What motivated you to choose the MSc in Applied Coastal and Marine Management?

Coming from a fisheries and aquaculture management background, I was looking for a Master's programme that would equip me with the skills to incorporate geospatial techniques into the management of aquatic resources.

At the time, I had done some research on how geospatial techniques were being used in water quality monitoring, habitat mapping, and the monitoring of fish populations, particularly in developed countries. So, when I reviewed the course content of this MSc programme, I knew I had found exactly what I was looking for.

You’ve worked across fisheries management, aquaculture, and marine research — how did your background shape your approach to the MSc in Applied Coastal and Marine Management?

My background taught me the importance of balancing the often conflicting priorities of resource use and conservation, which shaped my approach to the MSc programme. Through my work in fisheries management, I witnessed firsthand how overexploitation can degrade ecosystems and threaten livelihoods. Meanwhile, my experience in aquaculture demonstrated how sustainable practices can enhance food security without compromising the ecological integrity of aquatic environments.

This interdisciplinary experience shaped my perspective on coastal and marine management, emphasising adaptive strategies, stakeholder collaboration, and policy frameworks that balance human needs with environmental protection. The MSc programme provided the ideal platform to refine and deepen these insights.

What aspects of the MSc stood out to you the most?

The practical training sessions were the most impactful part of the MSc programme for me. I had the opportunity to work with a range of software across different fields, including seafloor mapping, spatial ecology, GIS, and remote sensing. This experience gave me valuable exposure to geospatial tools, aligning closely with my original goals for the programme.

Another highlight was the time spent on the RV Tom Crean. We were able to apply what we had learned in class to real-world scenarios at sea. We gained hands-on experience with various components of the research vessel and, ultimately, wrote a professional cruise report — a particularly rewarding experience for me.

Additionally, the field trip to the Myrtleville intertidal area was a fascinating part of the practical training. We gained direct experience in sampling intertidal species for species distribution modelling, further enhancing our practical skills.

Looking ahead, what impact do you hope to make in the field of marine conservation?

I hope to continue enhancing my skills in geospatial technologies. My ultimate goal is to pursue a career in marine spatial planning, where I can use my expertise to help balance marine resource use with environmental protection.

I would also like to see more people actively involved in ocean resource management, adopting a more proactive and inclusive approach.

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Start your journey in coastal and marine management

If you're interested in developing practical skills to address the challenges facing our coastal and marine environments, explore the MSc in Applied Coastal and Marine Management at UCC.

This interdisciplinary programme combines classroom learning, fieldwork, and hands-on experience to equip graduates with the tools needed to support sustainable ocean resource management. Learn more about how you can shape the future of our coastlines - MSc in Applied Coastal and Marine Management