IUCN WCPA MPAs and Fisheries Task Force

Fabrice Stephenson is a marine ecologist at Newcastle University and a thematic Vice Chair for the WCPA Marine Thematic Group. His research has primarily focused on exploring the spatial patterns and underlying drivers of marine biodiversity, as well as investigating how human-induced impacts — such as the cumulative effects of stressors like fishing and climate change — might influence these patterns. Using statistical modelling approaches, he has developed science that aims to inform strategic policy approaches to managing the marine environment, in particular the development of marine spatial plans. He is currently undertaking a 5-year interdisciplinary research fellowship at Newcastle University which aims to develop improved approaches for estimating spatial distributions of ecosystem services under a changing climate and how these data can inform coherent, efficient and equitable resource management.

Beth Pike is the Director of the Marine Protection Atlas (MPAtlas) program and Senior Scientist at Marine Conservation Institute where she leads the effort to evaluate and report effective marine conservation areas. Beth’s work on the MPAtlas highlights areas that best protect and conserve the ecosystem through strong marine protection. The MPAtlas has become the only platform to report scientifically evaluated MPAs by both their Stage of Establishment and their Level of Protection, widely cited as an important metric for tracking global marine conservation progress. Beth Pike earned her Master of Environmental Management from Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment with a certificate in geospatial analysis from the Duke Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab. She is co-chair of the IUCN Task Force on Fisheries and MPAs and a member of a number of other IUCN commissions, a member of The MPA Guide executive committee, and co-author of The Marine OECM Guide.

Estradivari is a marine ecologist at the Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT), specializing in marine conservation, coral reef ecology, and impact assessment. Her work bridges research, policy, and conservation, focusing on strengthening marine management in the Coral Triangle and beyond. Estra has played a critical role in improving MPA management effectiveness and promoting OECM recognition in Indonesia, helping to shape conservation policies through science-driven and inclusive processes. Her research evaluates the effectiveness and impacts of conservation areas and explores sustainable approaches that balance biodiversity protection with resource use. She collaborates with governments, NGOs, academia, and international organizations to translate science into policy and enjoys creating infographics based on her research findings to communicate key insights in a clear and engaging way.

Dr. Jenna Sullivan-Stack is a member of the MPA Guide Executive Committee. She is a marine ecologist focused on evidence-based solutions to ocean threats. She is a Research Associate at Oregon State University with The MPA Project, which aims to enhance ocean conservation by integrating marine ecological and social science and other ways of knowing with policy and management, with an emphasis on area-based management tools including marine protected areas (MPAs) and other area-based conservation measures (OECMs). Her research background is exploring impacts of human-induced changes on nearshore species and interactions. Jenna is a Science Advisor for the Marine Conservation Institute’s Blue Parks Awards and the National Ocean Protection Coalition, and contributes to IUCN Task Forces including on Management Effectiveness.