IUCN CEM Fisheries Expert Group Task Force

Despina Symons-Pirovolidou, has been Director and founding Member of the European Bureau for Conservation and Development (EBCD) since its establishment in 1989, with the main objective to promote the conservation and sustainable use of natural renewable resources and focusing mainly on marine environment. Working closely with EU institutions and globally, Despina has been linking the conservation, scientific communities and civil society providing them with experts and strategic advice for over 30 years. 

As an active member of IUCN, Despina has been contributing to all UN processes in relation to fisheries management, climate and biodiversity conservation including FAO, CBD, UNCLOs, CITES.

As key to several initiatives within IUCN, including the establishment of the IUCN European office, the Mediterranean office as well as the Marine Program, Despina initiated the establishment of the CEM/FEG in 2008 for which she is the secretary and coordinator.

Prior to joining EBCD, Despina worked on fisheries related issues in Madrid (Spain) where she represented the Spanish coastal fishers to the EU.

Mark is an experienced marine scientist, operating independently as DickeyCollas Marine; with expertise in the provision of scientific advice to governments and intergovernmental organisations for marine conservation, fisheries, biodiversity and ecosystem-based management. DickeyCollas Marine specialises in knowledge for policy development, and operational decision-making, in facilitation, and in the strategic development of marine science programmes around the world. Its client base shows the current unique breath of Mark’s expertise from active engagement in fish stock assessments in Europe and North America, to academic research on ecosystem-based management, to reviews of organisational performance and contributing to the debate and implementation of international agreements such as the GBF and BBNJ.

Mark has over 30 years’ experience across fisheries and biodiversity, with a decade in Northern Ireland, in the Netherlands, and in ICES HQ, Denmark. As Chair of the ICES Advisory Committee, Mark oversaw the production and delivery of >250 pieces of annual advice to governments and proactive stakeholder engagement. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3154-8039

Mark is an adjunct professor at DTU-Aqua, a member of the IUCN Fisheries Expert Group, a council member of the Marine Biological Association of the UK and a member of the Defra (UK) biodiversity expert committee. He chaired the FAO expert panel on CITES listing of aquatic species and is a former member of the IMBeR Science Steering Committee. He contributes to the UN Endorsed Ocean Decade Programme FishSCORE. Mark values diversity and equity in marine science.