2025

Biography: Anastasia was born in Taiwan and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Digital Humanities and Modern Sinology in Germany. Driven by a passion for the rights of marine workers, she worked as a project officer at Humanity Research Consultancy, where she contributed to several marine protection initiatives. She also co-authored the report Profiling Taiwanese Distant Water Vessel Owners for Ethical Change. Her expertise lies in marine policy, with a particular focus on human rights at sea.

Biography: Xin Du works as senior program manager in Hainan Climate Partnership Program, China Blue Sustainability Institute, focusing on climate adaptation research, communication and exploratory initiatives in Hainan’s coastal fishing communities. She also facilitates friendly exchanges with civil society organizations in Southeast Asia that focus on marine conservation and community development. 

She is a passionate NGO practitioner in the field of environmental education, community service and social work, with extensive experience in collaboration with government, business, and NGO partners. She is a nature lover and good learner. Through all her work, she dedicated to a better world for people, animals and the environment.

Biography: Eduardo Aninat is a Chilean environmental leader working to restore ecosystems and strengthen community resilience through nature-based solutions. At Fundación Ibáñez Atkinson, he leads national programs that restore wetlands, protect coastlines, and cool cities with green infrastructure.

He is also the founder of Somos Parques, Chile’s largest digital platform celebrating national parks, connecting over 600,000 people with nature through education, storytelling, and outdoor experiences.

Eduardo serves on the boards of four environmental NGOs in Chile and holds degrees in business, marketing, and sustainability. Based in a coastal town north of Santiago, he enjoys trail running, mountain biking, and exploring the wild places he works to protect. His mission is to reconnect people with nature and inspire collective action for climate and biodiversity.

Biography: Farhiya Elmy is an award-winning marine scientist and the Founder and CEO of SeaBlue Innovators Co. Ltd, a pioneering social enterprise advancing regenerative aquaculture and seaweed value addition to build healthier communities and resilient oceans. She works at the intersection of science, entrepreneurship, and community resilience, empowering coastal populations through innovation and inclusive leadership. Farhiya has trained over 50 women in underwater monitoring, led co-management initiatives across 25 coastal communities, and facilitated local marine spatial planning and integrated coastal zone management. She has also developed participatory models to address complex marine resource management challenges, co-creating sustainable solutions with and for coastal communities.

Biography: My work focuses on restoring coral communities in Hong Kong and advocating for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). I conduct regular ecological monitoring at MPAs and restoration sites to evaluate conservation methods, sharing data with university teams to support research.

Recently, I have adopted SMART environmental management, utilizing the Internet of Things (IoT) to monitor environmental changes and coral health, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance the scale and efficiency of ecological monitoring. In my free time, I enjoy diving and swimming.

Biography: Gayathra Bandara is a deep-sea biologist and ichthyologist passionate about exploring the biodiversity of our ocean’s most remote and fragile ecosystems. His research focuses on understanding human impacts on the deep sea, including the threats posed by deep-sea mining. As a sea-going marine biologist, Gayathra has spent over 100 days at sea, sailing across the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans — and even into the icy cold waters of the Arctic. Beyond research, he’s an active science communicator and ocean advocate, working to raise awareness and protect life in the deep. In his free time, he loves solo travel and has explored more than 30 countries around the world.

Biography: Julianto Saut Hamonangan is a Research Assistant at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Republic of Indonesia. He is currently involved in seaweed aquaculture initiatives in Maluku, supporting inclusive, community-based programs that integrate local wisdom, promote gender equity, and advance environmental sustainability. This project focuses on revitalizing seaweed farming through capacity-building, policy advocacy, and community empowerment. Julianto holds a Master’s degree in Marine Science and Management from UNSW Sydney. He is particularly interested in bridging scientific research and policy development to advance sustainable marine governance in Indonesia.

Biography: With over seven years of experience, Harlisa is dedicated to advancing climate-resilient fisheries management by integrating scientific, policy, and technological solutions to support sustainable fisheries practices. She brings expertise in translating scientific research into actionable strategies through collaborative document development, capacity building, and proof-of-concept initiatives that promote effective stakeholder engagement. Through strategic partnerships and science-based advocacy, Harlisa supports climate-adaptive fisheries management to contribute to the resilience of marine resources in Indonesia.

Biography: With over 10 years' experience in environmental conservation, Fan Min now works for the SEE Foundation's Marine Conservation Team. Before joining SEE, she worked for the Ant Forest Marine Conservation Team and GEI，where she managed and developed marine projects. She has been involved in conservation projects focusing on marine species, ecosystems and sustainable fisheries. She is currently a member of the World Economic Forum's Friends of Ocean Action China Hub.

Biography: Joy E. Endraca is a community-based social enterprise developer, and a passionate supporter of regenerative seaweed farming based in Gubat, Sorsogon, Philippines. For over nine years, she has worked closely with communities to advance environmental conservation through inclusive enterprise models. Joy has worked with the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) to support community-led regenerative seaweed farming in Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte, and with ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. to develop community-based social enterprises in Sorsogon.

She recently founded Man.Grove Collective, a social enterprise dedicated to supporting community-led, nature-based solutions—from regenerative seaweed farming to mangrove conservation and education. Through this work, Joy continues to nurture a growing network of women-, youth- and fisherfolk-led enterprises. Her commitment is both professional and deeply personal, driven by her passion as a mother building a better future for her four-year-old son and the coastal communities they call home.

Biography: Lynn is a coastal ecologist researching hybrid shorelines that support biodiversity in Singapore. After working with a marine conservation NGO in Brazil, she studied mangrove and reef restoration at Yale-NUS College and is now a Master’s student at the National University of Singapore. As a field scientist and science communication lead, she investigates the ecosystem services of green-grey infrastructure designs and creates educational materials on their importance for coastal protection, native species, and community well-being. She volunteers with the not-for-profit Coastal Natives, Conservation International, and WWF Singapore to support local environmental outreach and reef restoration. Find her recharging by baking bread, swimming, or gardening with friends.

Biography: During a trip in 2013, she overheard discussions about marine conservation and the importance of protecting ocean life, which inspired her to take up diving and become a certified diver—driven by the desire to contribute to something meaningful. From the moment she first submerged into the ocean depths, she knew that marine protection would become her lifelong commitment. Through continuous learning and hands-on experience, she realized that individual action alone is not enough; collective participation is essential. For her, marine conservation extends far beyond beach cleanups—it involves addressing overfishing, preserving habitats, and fostering sustainable coastal economies. She hopes to connect with more like-minded individuals to exchange knowledge, collaborate, and create greater impact for the oceans.

Biography: Mikaela Clarissa is deeply passionate about communication science and has a strong voice in advocating for marine conservation, especially in protecting and preserving dugong species in Indonesia. Through her initiative, Tamang Dugong Indonesia, she dedicates her time and energy to working directly with local communities on Pantar Island, Alor, East Nusa Tenggara.

Mikaela actively engages with the islanders—observing, listening, and helping to raise awareness about marine life and sustainability. She believes that conservation must be inclusive and rooted in education. To make learning accessible and meaningful, she creates interactive educational games for children and fishermen alike. These creative tools aim to inspire pride in their natural surroundings and foster a new generation of ocean heroes.

Her approach combines empathy, local wisdom, and communication strategies to empower coastal communities to protect what they have. For Mikaela, Tamang Dugong is not just a conservation project, but a movement that celebrates connection—between people, the sea, and the stories that flow between them.

Biography: Maria is an oceanographer, project manager, and diver committed to creating social and environmental impact wherever she goes. She holds a Master’s degree in Marine Plastics Abatement from the Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand. Her work has taken her from delivering environmental education in Amazonian riverine communities to establishing a plastic litter monitoring program on one of the world’s most remote islands. In Brazil, she coordinated projects and events to promote ocean literacy. Currently, Maria works as the Marine Plastics Project Manager at Fauna & Flora Cambodia. She leads science-based interventions to reduce plastic pollution in remote island communities, combining technical expertise with local knowledge. In the Koh Rong Archipelago, she is implementing a project to eliminate single-use plastics. On Koh Sdach Island, she launched a circular economy initiative that supports local women in collecting, repairing, and transforming plastic bottles and end-of-life fishing nets into marketable products. Maria is passionate about raising awareness of the ocean’s importance in our daily lives. This has led her to speak at universities in Brazil, United Nations events, and a TEDx talk.

Biography: Mir Mohammad Ali is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Bangladesh. He is a passionate advocate for ocean conservation, sustainable aquaculture, and climate resilience. He holds a BSc in Fisheries and an MS in Aquaculture from Patuakhali Science and Technology University. He further specialized in environmental protection through an MSc in Disaster Management from Khulna University of Engineering and Technology and an MSc in Environmental Science and Management from Jahangirnagar University, focusing on pollution control in coastal and beach ecosystems. Mr. Mir has authored over 120 peer-reviewed publications with more than 4,300 citations. His expertise spans environmental pollution, coastal ecology, mariculture, and the blue economy. He has actively contributed to international climate negotiations and held formal appointments with leading global organizations, including WorldFish, the International Water Association, the ASEAN Secretariat and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). His research on microplastics, heavy metals, and organic pollutants informs national and regional policies for sustainable fisheries and marine ecosystem resilience. Beyond academia, he leads community-based programs that train fishers to reduce ghost gear pollution and implement sustainable fishing practices. His work bridges science, policy, and local action to promote ocean health and climate-smart aquaculture in Bangladesh and beyond.

Biography: Viga Ananda Wicaksono is the Fisheries and Aquaculture Program Coordinator at Konservasi Indonesia. He leads sustainable fisheries and aquaculture initiatives, particularly jurisdictional approach and integrating shrimp farms with mangrove restoration to promote climate-smart shrimp farming. 

With over five years of experience in conservation, fisheries, aquaculture, and marine resource management, Viga has worked with consulting agencies, research institutions, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). He holds a Bachelor's degree in Fisheries (specializing in fishing management and technology) from Universitas Padjadjaran, Indonesia, and a Master's degree in Environmental Sciences (specializing in marine governance) from Wageningen University, the Netherlands. In his free time, Viga enjoys playing guitar, watching movies and sports—especially football and Formula 1—and traveling.

Biography: Haihong is a diver who is passionate about marine protection. She promotes marine protection to the public and enterprises through various means, including conducting in-house training within enterprises, promoting it through self-media, developing marine environmental protection products to raise public awareness, and influencing operators to pay attention to environmental protection through investment. 

Haihong has dedicated over 20 years to the field of sustainability. With a major in biochemistry, she first gained five years of factory management experience after graduation. Subsequently, she embarked on a career as an auditor, specializing in environmental, safety, and corporate social responsibility. Later, she oversaw the sustainability management of more than 100 hotels across China, accumulating extensive expertise in formulating and implementing sustainability strategies within the hospitality industry.

Biography: Hervé  is the Regional Manager for the MIHARI Network in northern Madagascar. He has been actively engaged in community-based marine conservation since 2020, supporting Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMAs) through coordination, capacity building, and local governance improvement.

With a Master's degree in Applied Oceanology, Hervé has collaborated with organizations such as WCS, FAO, and IH.SM on research and field projects related to small-scale fisheries and marine ecosystems.

He holds certifications as an MPA PRO (Level 2) and PADI Advanced Open Water Diver. Combining scientific knowledge, practical experience, and strong ties with local communities, Hervé works to promote inclusive and sustainable ocean governance in Madagascar.

He is passionate about connecting science, policy, and grassroots action to improve marine conservation and coastal livelihoods.

Biography: Widhya has been actively engaged with Indonesia's commercial marine sectors, including tuna, blue swimming crab, and seaweed industries. His initiative with the Blue Pioneer Program (BPP) stems from his extensive experience studying the use of anchored Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) in eastern Indonesia. Through this work, he has focused on enhancing FAD monitoring and surveillance via co-management approaches.

Over the past two years, Widhya has expanded his interests into policy-based research. He has been affiliated with the Deputy for Policy Development at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), contributing to the development of science-based policies for sustainable marine resource management.

Currently, Widhya is based in Hakodate, Japan, pursuing his Ph.D. at the Graduate School of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, under a JICA scholarship. He is expected to complete his studies by March 2028.

Biography: Nakita is originally from Trinidad & Tobago and is currently working for Fauna & Flora International as Programme Manager for the Caribbean. A passionate advocate for environmental stewardship, she has spent the past decade advancing conservation across the region, with a particular focus on protecting marine ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.

Her career spans a diverse range of roles—from marine and terrestrial conservation, climate change adaptation, and sustainable infrastructure development, to managing waste, water, and energy systems within the hospitality industry. At the heart of her work is a deep commitment to driving meaningful behaviour change through education, outreach, and inclusive engagement.

Nakita thrives on building strong partnerships across sectors and cultures, believing that holistic collaboration and clear strategic direction are essential to tangible impact. With a strong sense of purpose and a passion for the ocean, she continues to champion conservation efforts that contribute to the resilience and well-being of Caribbean people as well as the planet.

Biography: Haohao is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the China Research Institute for Science Popularization (CRISP), focusing on science communication and popular science creation. He graduated from Xiamen University, where his research centered on marine fish diversity. Through years of academic study and field research in marine biology, he developed a profound interest in marine life and a strong commitment to enhancing public awareness of ocean conservation. 

After graduating from Xiamen University, he served as a science communication specialist at the university for two years. During this tenure, he actively engaged with the public through lectures, campus open-day events, televised science programs, and interactive workshops to disseminate marine science knowledge and foster public interest in oceanic ecosystems.

Biography: Huyen is a Master's candidate in Sustainability Science at Vietnam National University, Hanoi - School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Arts. Deeply concerned about marine conservation, she focuses on environmental education and communication to raise awareness among local communities—especially ethnic minority children living in coastal areas.

She was formerly the team leader of a sea turtle conservation volunteer group in Con Dao Island under the IUCN 2022 program. In 2023, she worked as a coordinator with Fauna & Flora International (FFI, Vietnam Programme) to implement a marine education program for Cham and Raglai secondary students in Nui Chua National Park. She also led Junior Conservationist, an environmental education project for elementary students in Vinh Hy Bay, as part of the Sustainable Hospitality Fellowship at Amanoi in 2025.

Huyen is currently conducting research on the household-scale production of organic fertilizer using compost bins to evaluate the potential of waste treatment at the community level.

Looking ahead, she aims to design a program that integrates digital art and conservation education to foster environmental awareness for both children and adults, blending creativity, science, and local culture to inspire meaningful action.

Biography: She is a passionate advocate for the marine environment, with a deep interest in how human activities shape and are shaped by coastal and ocean systems. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with Geography from the University of Ghana and an MPhil in Integrated Coastal Zone Management from the University of Cape Coast, funded by the World Bank through the Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience (ACECoR). Her MPhil research investigated the impacts of fisheries subsidies and fishing effort on fish catch in Ghana’s small-scale fisheries, addressing critical policy and sustainability challenges.

In 2023, she joined ACECoR as a Project Support Officer on the Food-Climate-Biodiversity Nexus project, where she contributed to evidence-based policy development, led stakeholder engagements, and supported extensive fieldwork and data analysis. She is currently pursuing a PhD at the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences at the University of Cape Coast, with research focused on assessing the impacts of IUU fishing and climate change on Ghana’s small-scale fisheries sector.

Her work lies at the intersection of climate change, fisheries governance, marine plastic pollution, and coastal resilience, driven by a commitment to advancing sustainable, inclusive, and science-informed solutions for ocean and community well-being.

Biography: Sukma Impian Riverningtyas is an environmental policy advisor from Indonesia focused on climate resilience, environmental governance, and disaster preparedness. She is currently serving as an Advisor for Marine Protection and Management of Coastal Zone at GIZ Indonesia & ASEAN where she supports SOLUSI Project, focusing on the integrated land- and seascape management in Indonesia. Sukma previously worked with UNDP Indonesia on a post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction initiative in Central Sulawesi and West Nusa Tenggara Provinces. These regions were severely impacted by a devastating earthquake, tsunami, and liquefaction in 2018.

Sukma holds a Master’s in Climate Change and Environmental Policy from the University of Leeds and completed a fellowship with the City of Tukwila, Washington, through the U.S. State Department’s Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Professional Fellowship Program.

Outside of her professional commitments, she is the founder of TEGAR (Towards a Gender-Inclusive Disaster Resilience), a community-led initiative that trains people in tsunami-prone areas in emergency response and leadership. The program fills critical gaps in disaster preparedness by equipping frontline communities with practical skills and tools for adaptation.

Biography: James Crockett is Caribbean Sustainable Tourism Programme Manager for Fauna & Flora. In this capacity he supports the conservation and restoration of Caribbean biodiversity through assisting local partner E-NGO/CBOs assess opportunities for, and the development of, appropriate types of locally owned and managed tourism experiences that support sustainable finance strategies for conservation.

Presently, he is also focused upon the development of innovative finance mechanisms to support private sector investment in Nature-based Solutions for climate risk reduction and the development of a sustainable value chain for the valorisation of sargassum seaweed into biochar for watershed restoration and local livelihoods.

With an undergraduate degree in Geology with Oceanography from Southampton Oceanography Centre (UK) his Caribbean work started in 1997, as an ocean science and sailing instructor for a yacht-based experiential education program, that also took him to the Galapagos and Mediterranean. He subsequently spent five years sailing the Lesser Antilles during which time his love for the region and passion for its people, culture and nature flourished. 

A Master's degree in Responsible Tourism Management in 2008 preceded a full-time move to St Lucia in 2010. In 2011 James co-founded the charter company Jus' Sail that delivers authentic sailing experiences and created an award-winning marine tourism industry work readiness training program to local unemployed youth. 

Biography: Susana Núñez Lendo is a Spanish journalist and multimedia creator of Mesoamerican descent (Honduras and Guatemala), currently working at Forest Peoples Programme within its Environmental Governance Programme. She has collaborated on conservation and human rights projects across South America and Oceania, combining project coordination, communications, and visual storytelling to support community-led environmental action. A key moment in her journey came during the three years she lived in the South Pacific region, where she worked closely with coastal communities (Tahiti, Marquesas Islands, and Rapa Nui) rooted in traditional marine knowledge, supporting them in activism and political advocacy. From documenting artisanal fisheries to amplifying Indigenous conservation practices, she has witnessed how honest, simple storytelling can inspire real change. Fascinated by world cultures and the unique solutions different peoples offer to common problems, she believes that only through respectful, prejudice-free, interdisciplinary collaboration can we protect the Earth, and its oceans, and begin to heal the wounds that have divided cultures throughout history and continue to do so today.

Biography: Wawan Rowandi (Tjahjadi Kanou) is a committed marine conservation and fisheries management professional with over 12 years of experience in sustainable development. His work has consistently centered on advancing environmentally responsible practices, fostering inclusive community engagement, and strengthening natural resource governance in Indonesia and beyond. He contributes to the formulation of science-based policies, develops and implements sustainable fisheries initiatives, and cultivates effective collaboration across government agencies, civil society, and the private sector. His contributions span the enhancement of fisheries improvement programs, the establishment of marine protected area frameworks, the advancement of seafood traceability systems, and the integration of climate resilience into fisheries management. He has led field operations to improve data collection for small-scale fisheries and has mentored early-career professionals through comprehensive capacity-building efforts. 

Beyond his formal responsibilities, he has actively supported grassroots conservation campaigns, educational outreach, and volunteer-driven initiatives focused on marine ecosystems, sustainable fishing practices, and environmental advocacy. He has been involved in numerous national and international symposia and has contributed to the development of practical fisheries guidelines and research efforts across Indonesia. A compelling communicator with strong cross-cultural collaboration skills, he integrates scientific expertise with hands-on implementation. His career reflects a steadfast commitment to resilient coastal communities and sustainable ocean governance.

Biography: Salai Mon Nyi Nyi Lin is a marine biologist and professional reef check diver. He has a BSc in Marine Science from Mawlamyine University in Myanmar. After his BSc, he joined Fauna & Flora’s (FFI) Myanmar Marine Conservation Program as a Junior Marine Biologist. He is currently working as a Project Officer for FFI’s Myanmar Marine Conservation Program as well as leading Myanmar’s sea turtle conservation program. He is working hard to establish the first community-led sea turtle conservation zone in Myanmar. His research interests range from coral biodiversity, species conservation, ecology, sea turtle conservation and management, to ecosystem and habitat restoration. He has published his co-authored research on seagrass and coral reef habitat assessments, species identification, and sea turtle conservation in international journals. He has presented his findings at international, regional and national conferences and workshops. In his spare time, he loves traveling, nature photography, reading, listening to music and actively participating in plastic campaigns for the environmental conservation program.

Biography: Born into a fishing family, he is deeply connected to the ocean. Specializing in sustainable fisheries and marine ecosystem restoration, he combines scientific research with practical conservation efforts.

He founded a local NGO to integrate ecological principles into fisheries practices. His work spans intertidal restoration in Fujian, squid and octopus fishery management in the Shantou-Taiwan Bank, yellow croaker aquaculture development, and coastal community adaptation.

Committed to community-based marine stewardship, he bridges science, policy, and frontline fisheries to create lasting impact.

Biography: Mathew Egessa is a Senior Lecturer in Business Information Systems with a research focus on marine resource management, technology-driven solutions, and blue economy policy innovations. He founded the Blue Economy Innovation Hub (BEI Hub) at the Technical University of Mombasa in Kenya, where he leads multidisciplinary research and participatory projects aimed at enhancing marine sustainability, ecosystem-based management, and climate resilience. He has previously served as the principal investigator for a KENET-funded AI-based early warning system for fish kills and as a web platform specialist in the World Bank’s KEMFSED project. In addition to his academic role, he co-founded VUA Solutions, a fintech enterprise that delivers sustainable financial services to small-scale fishing communities. His efforts focus on addressing the economic challenges posed by climate change and aim to bridge technology, policy, and community engagement to build a resilient blue economy.

Biography: Jing Reagan Yu is a PhD student in Carbon Neutrality and Climate Change at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), where his research focuses on sustainability transitions, particularly in the coastal and marine sectors. He founded the Hai Shan Volunteer Association, a citizen-science NGO that has removed over ten tons of marine debris and engages coastal communities in environmental monitoring and public education, especially in just transition of the aquaculture sector and the waste management sector.

Previously a Digital Communication Officer with Médecins Sans Frontières, Jing brings together field experience and communication expertise. And as a passionate advocate for public engagement, he integrates creative design into his outreach efforts to inspire broader participation in ocean protection.