Description du sujet de thèse

The aim of this thesis is (O1) to identify the factors associated with TFS by combining approaches from the humanities, social sciences and life sciences, in order to (O2) correlate the distribution of the syndrome with the physical, chemical, biological and social characteristics of the environments in which it occurs in French Polynesia (FP), and (O3) predict its spatial and temporal distribution. The aim is to adopt an interdisciplinary approach mobilizing local ecological knowledge and life sciences, and in a logic of co-construction of knowledge, with a view to anticipating its possible impacts on PF but also on a larger scale. Activities  The PhD student will conduct a systematic review of the literature on TFS. He/she will conduct an ethno-biological study using semi-directive interviews and participant observation to document ecological knowledge relating to the interspecific, infraspecific and spatial distribution of TFS. The PhD student will conduct field activities and analysis of fish flesh samples to estimate their trophic level, morphology, primary and secondary metabolites that may be related to TFS. He/she will also carry out otolithometry, HPLC, contaminant and metabarcoding analyses. The doctoral student will be expected to co-supervise Bachelor's/Master's work. The candidate is expected to be able to lead consultation meetings between fishermen, administrations and scientists.
Specific activity or collective interest Doctoral work is resolutely inter-disciplinary, and the candidate is expected to be able to interact with researchers from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds (anthropology, marine biology, sustainability sciences). The thesis project has been co-constructed with a Polynesian association (To'a hine spearfishing), with which the candidate is expected to work closely.

Skills required:
o Master's degree in research.
o Initial background in one of the following disciplines: marine biology, functional biology, ecology, environmental sciences.
o Open to and interested in interdisciplinarity.
o Ethnographic field experience desirable.
o Proficiency in statistical (R) and geographic (GIS) data processing tools.
o CAH class 1B diploma
o Fluency in English (oral/written) required.
o Knowledge of Polynesian terrain desirable.
o Driving license.

Contexte de travail

When you talk to a Polynesian fisherman about fish, the question of ma'e'e is bound to come up, along with all the questions it raises. Ma'e'e - or Tough Fish Syndrome (TFS) - characterizes a hardening of the flesh of certain fish when cooked. Questions arise from the high variability in the probability of individuals of the same species being affected. Indigenous theories are based on seasonal, spatial and morphological criteria. For some species, the greater the size of the individual, the greater the likelihood of it being ma'e'e. The implications for resource management are immediate. Consumers - and consequently fishermen - tend to prefer smaller individuals that have not necessarily reached sexual maturity. For some fishermen, the phenomenon is becoming more pronounced and spreading to previously unaffected species, making it all the more urgent to better understand it. There is as yet no consensus on the precise causes of TFS, other than that they are complex and multiple. Born of a desire on the part of fishermen to gain a better understanding of the phenomenon in order to respond to both sustainable fishing issues and concerns about the spread of TFS, this project responds to societal expectations.

Contraintes et risques

The candidate will be based at CRIOBE - UAR 3278 in Moorea, French Polynesia. He/she will conduct survey and ethnographic work on Moorea and Tahiti. The candidate may be required to carry out fieldwork under testing conditions (outings with fishermen in sometimes harsh conditions). The candidate will be registered as a PhD student at the EPHE, and will be required to travel regularly to the CRIOBE offices in Perpignan to carry out biological analyses and interact with the team based in mainland France. The doctoral work falls within the scope of CRIOBE's Axis 4 “Management of socio-ecological systems”. The work will be co-supervised by Valeriano PARRAVINCINI and Jean WENCÉLIUS.