Pierre Failler

Summary

I am a Professor of Economics in the Faculty of Business and Law and Director of the Centre for Blue Governance.

I specialise in development economics, particularly environmental or ecological economics. I explore the interfaces between the use of natural resources and the development of countries. My particular area of expertise is the 'Blue Economy' — the sustainable use of oceans and coastlines for economic growth while preserving the health of ecosystems.

I investigate how developing countries can benefit from the use of natural resources in a sustainable way, and, importantly, how to place a monetary value on the protection of the natural environment. My research helps countries to develop sustainably. It informs the implementation of policies that favour environmental protection while providing economic and social benefits.

I coordinate complex research projects with multidisciplinary teams in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and the Pacific region, working in collaboration with national research institutions, universities and policy makers.

I've coordinated 40 international research and development programmes in the following areas:

Marine and coastal biodiversity and ecosystem services
Marine protected areas, including ecosystem valuation and payment for environmental services
Climate change
Ocean and coastal zone policy and governance
International and regional fish trade
Poverty and food security

I support many organisations to develop their strategies for the use of oceans and the coast. I coordinated Blue Economy Strategies for the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD), the Government of Bangladesh and the Government of Seychelles. I also coordinated the Regional Action Plan for the Blue Economy of the Indian Ocean Commission.

I've authored or co-authored over 350 journal articles, book chapters, research reports, consultancy reports, media reports, conference papers and proceedings. I'm a reviewer for many scientific journals.

I'm a scientific evaluator for several research councils in the UK, Europe, North America, Africa and Asia.

Biography

I have over 25 years of teaching and research experience. I became a Professor of Economics in 2018 and Director of the Centre for Blue Governance in 2019.

I'm currently an Invited Lecturer on the Master's program on Coastal Zone Management at the University of Antilles, Martinique and an Invited Researcher at the Caribbean Public Policy Research Centre. I'm also an Invited Professor at the Emerging Market Institute of Beijing Normal University, China.

I joined the University of Portsmouth as a Research Fellow in 1997. Before this, I was a teaching fellow for the Master’s programme in Marine Resource Management at the University of Québec in Rimouski, Canada.

I completed a PhD in Economics at the University of Portsmouth in 2012. I hold an MSc in Economics of Marine Resources, a Master's in Modern Philosophy and Contemporary Ethics and a Master's in Economic Science.

Research interests

My core research interest is the governance of oceans and coasts in the context of global changes. My research covers:

Economic development
Blue governance
Blue carbon market
Marine resource economics
Trade and food security
Blue Governance
Payment for marine ecosystem services

PhD Research Supervision

I've supervised 9 PhDs and served as an external examiner for PhDs at universities in the UK and overseas.

I welcome enquiries and applications from students wishing to be supervised in PhD projects broadly within the areas listed above.

Teaching responsibilities

I currently lecture on the following modules:

Development Economics, third-year module for BSc (Econ) (Hons) Economics
Economics of Development, MSc International Development

The Development Economics module has grown in popularity, attracting three times more students than it did five years ago. Student involvement is central to my lectures.

Media availability

I am happy to take calls and emails from the media on my research, and am aware of the need to respond to journalists in a timely manner. Please contact pierre.failler@port.ac.uk or +44 (0)23 9284 8505

Research outputs

2024

Blue economy financing solutions for the fisheries and aquaculture sectors of Caribbean island states

Bennett, M., Failler, P., March, A. L. A.

3 Aug 2024, In: Fishes. 9, 8, 39p., 305

Centring justice for labour in the new blue economy: principles for applying emerging evidence and theoretical critiques to policy and practice

Choukroune, L. D., Failler, P., Yuan, H.

31 Jul 2024, In: Marine Policy. 168, 11p., 106327

The status of Blue Economy development in Africa

Bennett, M., Evans, T., Failler, P., Germishuizen, M., March, A.

1 Jul 2024, In: Marine Policy. 165, 15p., 106205

Analysis of fish consumption in the ECOWAS region and Mauritania: current constraints and future challenges

Elhadj bara, D., Pierre, F.

1 Jul 2024, In: Sustainability. 16, 13, 18p., 5429

A classification of poachers from the sea: four types to rule them all

Drakeford, B., Failler, P., Forse, A., Martinez Ballesteros, V. H., Rodriguez Rodriguez, G.

1 Jun 2024, In: Society and Natural Resources. 37, 4, p. 495-520, 26p.

A practical and pragmatic way to assess deeper motivations for ecosystems preservation in developing country – the case of banc d'Arguin National Park (Mauritania)

Abdel Hamid, M. L., Blayac, T., Failler, P., Rey-Valette, H., Salles, J. M.

1 Jun 2024, In: Environmental Development. 50, 100983

Tuna: Investigations of value addition and potential EU investments in tuna fisheries in Africa

Arias-Hansen, J., Doblado, S., Drakeford, B., Failler, P., Forse, A., Hermansen, Ø., Rodriguez, A., Touron-Gardic, G., Viðarsson, J. R.

21 May 2024, In: Sustainable Economies. 2, 2, 21p., 107

Radical and incremental, a multi-leverage point approach to transformation in ocean governance

Evans, T., Failler, P., Fletcher, R., Fletcher, S., Potts, J.

6 May 2024, In: Sustainability Science

Integration of climate change mitigation and adaptation in Blue Economy planning in Africa

Failler, P., March, A., Woolley, M.

19 Apr 2024, In: Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change. 29, 5, 28p., 38

Time-varying effects of crude oil price fluctuations on tuna fish prices

Akbari, N., Drakeford, B., Failler, P., Forse, A. P., Josupeit, H., Liu, Y., Zheng, Y.

18 Apr 2024, In: Sustainable Economies. 2, 3, 9p., 103

Understanding the “implementation gap” to improve biodiversity governance: an interdisciplinary literature review

Failler, P., Ferraro, G.

16 Apr 2024, In: Journal of Sustainability Research. 6, 2, 20p., e240009

Understanding the Interplay: Oil price and renewable energy investment in Africa's net oil importing and net oil exporting countries

Failler, P., Jaffry, S., Tambari, I.

1 Apr 2024, In: Resources Policy. 91, 13p., 104875

Biodiversity, multi-level governance, and policy implementation in Europe: A comparative analysis at the subnational level

Failler, P., Ferraro, G.

27 Mar 2024, In: Journal of Public Policy

Blueprint for blue carbon: lessons from Seychelles for small island states

Bennett, M., Failler, P., March, A., Raguain, J.

21 Mar 2024, In: Oceans. 5, 1, p. 81-108, 28p.

Small-scale marine fishing in Benin, West Africa: a comprehensive assessment of the processed fish value chain

Assogbadjo, A. E., Failler, P., Gandji, K., Gbedomon, R. C., Glèlè Kakaï, R., Gnansounou, S. C., Salako, K. V.

1 Mar 2024, In: Marine Policy. 161, 11p., 106032

Blue carbon accounting to monitor coastal blue carbon ecosystems

Failler, P., Liu, J., Ramrattan, D.

14 Feb 2024, In: Journal of Environmental Management. 352, 10p., 120008

A conceptual framework to help choose appropriate blue nature-based solutions

Allegri, E., Casal, G., Cornet, C. C., Failler, P., Fonseca, C., Fredriksen, S., Furlan, E., Gil, A., Hawkins, J. P., Maréchal, J. P., McCarthy, T., O'Leary, B. C., Pérez, G., Roberts, C. M., Simide, R., Trégarot, E., de Juan, S., van der Geest, M.

14 Feb 2024, In: Journal of Environmental Management. 352, 14p., 119936

How does digital payment affect international trade? Research based on the social network analysis method

Chen, H., Failler, P., Li, Z., Lu, S.

5 Feb 2024, In: Electronic Research Archive. 32, 3, p. 1406-1424

Assessment of socioeconomic and ecosystem services of the blue economy in Tanzania using the UNECA's Blue Economy Valuation Toolkit

Cowaloosur, H., Failler, P., Lallemand, P., Mang'ena, J., Maskaeva, A.

1 Jan 2024, In: Marine Policy. 159, 11p., 105920

A closer look at socio-economic and management perspectives of shark fishery in Ghana

Ackah, R., Amekor, W. D., Amponsah, S. K., Apraku, A., Asiedu, B., Failler, P., Henneh, S., Nkansah, E. N., Ntim, L.

1 Jan 2024, In: Journal of Wildlife and Biodiversity. 8, 1, p. 366-385, 20p.

2023

Socioeconomics and management of small cetacean bycatch in Ghana

Ackah, R., Amekor, W., Amponsah, S. K. K., Apraku, A., Asiedu, B. A., Failler, P., Henneh, S., Ntim, L., Van Waerebeek, K.

19 Dec 2023, In: Journal of Cetacean Research and Management. 24, 1, p. 227-239, 13p.

Towards a data-driven marine spatial plan for the maritime area of Bangladesh

Failler, P., Sarker, S.

15 Dec 2023, In: Journal of the Indian Ocean Region

Abundance, composition, spatial distribution, and management practices of marine litter along the Bay of Bengal coast of Bangladesh

Ahmed, M. K., Bennett, M., Failler, P., Habibullah-Al-Mamun, M., Islam, M. S., March, A. L. A., Ohiduzzaman, M., Rani, S., Watson, G.

4 Dec 2023, In: Bangladesh Maritime Journal

Embracing Nature-based Solutions to promote resilient marine and coastal ecosystems

Cornet, C. C., Degia, A. K., Failler, P., Fonseca, C., Furlan, E., Garrabou, J., Gil, A., Hawkins, J. P., Krause-Jensen, D., Le Roux, X., O'Leary, B., Peck, M., Pinto, I., Pérez, G., Queirós, A. M., Roberts, C. M., Rózynski, G., Sanchez-Archilla, A., Simide, R., Tregarot, E., de Vries, M.

1 Dec 2023, In: Nature-Based Solutions. 3, 7p., 100044

The development of seawater agriculture: policy options for a changing climate

Drakeford, B., Failler, P., Forse, A., Lu, K.

13 Nov 2023, In: Environmental Development, 27p., 100938

La contribution de la pêche à l’économie guinéenne : une évaluation à partir de l’élaboration d’un cadre d’indicateurs économiques clés

Camara, Y., Dème, E., Dème, M., Failler, P., Soumah, M.

1 Nov 2023, In: BELGEO, 2, 20p.

Blue farming potentials: sustainable ocean farming strategies in the light of climate change adaptation and mitigation

Bennett, M., Failler, P., March, A.

8 Oct 2023, In: Green and Low-Carbon Economy

A review of the blue economy, potential, and opportunities in seven Caribbean nations pre-COVID-19

Deane, K., Failler, P., March, A., Pascoe, S., Phang, S., Touron-Gardic, G.

1 Oct 2023, In: ICES Journal of Marine Science. 80, 8, p. 2233-2243, 11p.

La pêcherie migrante des petits pélagiques côtiers et l’approvisionnement de l’industrie de la farine et de l’huile de poisson en Mauritanie

Dia, A. D., Dème, E. h. B., Failler, P., Fall, A. D., Kane, E. A.

23 Sep 2023, In: BELGEO, 2, 14p.

Développement et tendances actuelles de la pêche migrante ciblant les petits pélagiques en Afrique de l’Ouest

Deme, E., Failler, P.

20 Sep 2023, In: VertigO: La Revue Électronique en Sciences de l'Environnement

Framework for mainstreaming climate change into African Blue Economy Strategies to enhance adaptation, mitigation, and resilience in sustainable development

Failler, P., Gilau, A. M., Karani, P.

7 Sep 2023, In: American Journal of Climate Change. 12, 3, 29p.

La pêche continentale des petits pélagiques en Mauritanie

Bah, M., Dème, E. H. B., El Vally, Y., Failler, P., Fall, A. D., Gandega, C. Y.

5 Sep 2023, In: BELGEO, 2, 16p.

Untangling theories of transformation: Reflections for ocean governance

Evans, T., Failler, P., Fletcher, S., Potts, J.

1 Sep 2023, In: Marine Policy. 155, 9p., 105710

Biodegradability and sustainable fisheries: the case for static gear in the UK Channel fishery

Drakeford, B. M., Failler, P., Forse, A.

1 Sep 2023, In: Marine Policy. 155, 10p., 105774

The economic impacts of introducing biodegradable fishing gear as a ghost fishing mitigation in the English Channel static gear fishery

Drakeford, B. M., Failler, P., Forse, A.

1 Jul 2023, In: Marine Pollution Bulletin. 192, 12p., 114918

Yesterday, today, and tomorrow’s fish consumption: analysis of present and prospective fish consumption in Ghana by 2030

Asiedu, B., Failler, P., Iddrisu, S.

22 Jun 2023, In: Cogent Food and Agriculture. 9, 1, 9p., 2224603

Birds of the National Park of Banc d’Arguin, Mauritania: a panel on ecosystem services

Cornet, C. C., Failler, P., Trégarot, E.

31 May 2023, In: Journal of Sustainability Research. 5, 2, 26p., e230009

Femmes et transformation artisanale des poissons pélagiques au Sénégal: un secteur à bout de souffle

Deme, E., Dia, N., Failler, P., Licette, L., Sow, E. H.

29 May 2023, In: L’Espace Politique. 46, 20p.

The differential effects of oil prices on the development of renewable energy in oil-importing and oil-exporting countries in Africa

Failler, P., Jaffry, S., Tambari, I. J. T.

28 Apr 2023, In: Energies. 16, 9, 20p., 3803

Dynamique des exportations de produits halieutiques du Sénégal et les impacts sur l’approvisionnement du marché local

Deme, E., Diédhiou, I., Failler, P.

20 Apr 2023, In: Dynamiques Environnementales. 46, 17p.

Caribbean fishery and aquaculture financing needs in the blue economy: identifying opportunities and constraints in Barbados, Grenada, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Bennett, M., Failler, P., March, A. L. A.

6 Apr 2023, In: Journal of Sustainability Research

Survey data of public awareness on climate change and the value of marine and coastal ecosystems

Andriamahefazafy, M., Casal, G., Chaigneau, T., Cornet, C. C., Degia, A. K., Failler, P., Ferraro, G., Fonseca, C., Furlan, E., Hawkins, J. A., Krause, T., McCarthy, T., O'Leary, B., Pérez, G., Roberts, C. M., Tregarot, E., Wood, L. E., de Juan, S.

1 Apr 2023, In: Data In Brief. 47, 9p., 108924