Rashid Sumaila
Tyler Prize Laureate 2023
Championing ocean justice through economics and ecology
Quick Facts
Affiliation at the time of the award: University of British Columbia
Environmental achievement: Recognized for his integration of economics, ecology, and other disciplines to sustainably manage ocean fishery resources for the benefit of current and future generations, and for his work with communities on both local scales in Africa to global scale.
Meet the Economist Fighting for the Future of the Ocean
Can economics save the ocean?
For Dr. Rashid Sumaila — the world’s most cited fisheries economist — the answer is a resounding yes.
Awarded the 2023 Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement, Sumaila is redefining how we value the ocean. He merges game theory, ecology, and community wisdom to craft policies that rebuild fish stocks, support coastal livelihoods, and protect marine ecosystems from collapse.
From the South China Sea to the North Atlantic, from Ghana to Canada, Sumaila’s work spans continents — but always returns to one core principle: equity.
A passionate advocate for banning high seas fishing and expanding marine protected areas, Sumaila works at the cutting edge of bioeconomics — and at the grassroots, amplifying voices too often left out of global decision-making.
As University Killam Professor and Canada Research Chair at the University of British Columbia, he’s built a legacy of research that balances hard data with deep compassion.
“There are really good people everywhere. In the long run, I think the commitment of good people everywhere is what will make sure the world turns out okay.” - Rashid Sumaila
Honoring a Voice for Ocean Stewardship
In April 2023, the Tyler Prize community gathered at the University of Southern California to celebrate Dr. Sumaila’s extraordinary impact. The events included a Laureate Conversation, intergenerational panel, and award lunch — highlighting his belief in mentorship, youth empowerment, and cross-cultural dialogue.
“Winning the Tyler Prize is deeply humbling — it places me among a select group of scientists I deeply admire. Receiving it during Black History Month is especially meaningful. I hope it inspires Black people and others historically excluded from science to keep pushing for their place under the sun — and to reach their full potential.”
Rashid Sumaila, 2023 Tyler Prize Laureate
