IUCN SSC-WCPA Marine Mammal Protected Areas Inter-Commission

Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara is a marine ecologist, especially concerned with the conservation of the Mediterranean and Red Seas environment and their biodiversity. Born in Venice, Italy (1948); obtained a PhD at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (California) in 1985 with a thesis on the taxonomy and ecology of manta rays (of which he described a new species, Mobula munkiana), progressively moved towards place-based conservation. Spearheaded (1986) the creation of the Italian national cetacean stranding network, which he coordinated until 1990. Funded (1986) the Tethys Research Institute, which he directed until 1997 and again between 2010 and 2016. Proposed (1991) the creation of the Pelagos Sanctuary for Mediterranean Marine Mammals, established by a treaty amongst Italy, France and Monaco (1999). President of the Central Institute for Applied Marine Research (1996-2003), a governmental body providing scientific support to Italy’s marine conservation policy. Commissioner/Alt. Commissioner for Italy at the International Whaling Commission (1999-2003), Chair of the Scientific Committee of ACCOBAMS (2002-2010), CoP-appointed CMS Councillor for Aquatic Mammals (2014-2022). Currently (in addition to IUCN tasks): Member, Global Ocean Biodiversity Initiative (GOBI) Scientific Steering Committee (since 2013); Advisor, Pew Fellows in Marine Conservation (since 2003). Has been teaching science and policy of the conservation of marine biodiversity at the University Statale of Milan (2006-2016). Author of >260 scientific publications and 16 books. More details on: www.disciara.org, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giuseppe_Notarbartolo_di_Sciara

Erich Hoyt, formerly Research Fellow with Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) (UK, USA, Germany), is a member of the IUCN Species Survival Commission’s Cetacean Specialist Group and co-chairs the IUCN Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force. He also co-founded and co-directs the Far East Russia Orca Project and the Russian Cetacean Habitat Project in Kamchatka. Hoyt is the author of more than 60 peer-reviewed papers and 25 books, including Marine Protected Areas for Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises; Encyclopedia of Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises; Creatures of the Deep, Planktonia, and Orca: The Whale Called Killer. His work has been translated into 15 languages and published in 25 countries. In 2013, he received the Mandy McMath Conservation Award from the European Cetacean Society for his body of work on marine conservation. In 2024, he was awarded an OBE as a whale researcher and author for services to Marine Conservation in the King's New Year's Honours List. Hoyt lives in England with his wife, Sarah Wedden, a developmental biologist, and their children.