Atkinson Sustainability Center

Dr. Aaron Koning is an aquatic ecologist whose research interests center around conserving freshwater resources. Much of his current research is based around working with communities in northern Thailand to balance protection of freshwater fishes with sustainable harvests. Aaron hopes that the lessons learned in Southeast Asia, where freshwater fish are critical to the food security of millions, might provide a template for community-based conservation worldwide.

Aaron is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at Cornell University’s Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future continuing to conduct research on the benefits of community conservation practices for fish population and local food security. Additionally, in partnership with FCF, Steve Cooke (FCF Advisor; Carleton University, CA), and Zeb Hogan (FCF Advisor; University of Nevada-Reno), Aaron is conducting a telemetry study to learn about the movement patterns and habitat requirements for mahseer in the Salween River Basin. He hopes to build on FCF’s work in Bhutan to help establish a community-based recreational fishery in the Mae Ngao to encourage further conservation in the region.