Advisory Board
The BLUE CONNECT Advisory Board
The External Expert Advisory Board (AB) of the BLUE CONNECT project is a group of leading experts, representatives from sister projects, and key stakeholders who provide complementary expertise and strategic guidance to BLUE CONNECT consortium to enhance the project’s impact.
The Advisory Board provides input and advice on specific issues, impactful policy recommendations, and supports the alignment and synergetic impacts with sister projects and related initiatives, strengthening innovation and collaboration within the marine conservation community.
The Advisory Board plays a crucial role in bringing in their complementary expertise and experience in MPA connectivity, restoration, monitoring, strict protection, co-management, conservation planning, and stakeholder engagement.
Meet our AB members
Iryna Makarenko
Iryna Makarenko brings extensive expertise in regional-level policy implementation with a strong focus on marine environmental governance. As a Pollution Monitoring and Assessment Officer at the Secretariat of the Commission on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution (Bucharest Convention), she has played a pivotal role in coordinating monitoring programs, legal frameworks, and international cooperation for marine protection. Her work has spanned areas critical to MPA management, ecological connectivity, restoration, and stakeholder engagement, aligning closely with BLUE CONNECT’s objectives. With experience in intergovernmental collaboration, policy advisory roles, and environmental law, her insights will be invaluable in strengthening the project’s impact at the regional and international levels.
Tamar Guy-Haim
Tamar Guy-Haim brings expertise in marine biodiversity, ecological connectivity, and regional policy implementation, making her a key contributor to the BLUE CONNECT AB. As Head of the Biology Department at Israel’s National Institute of Oceanography, she leads research on marine ecosystem resilience, invasive species, and human impacts on marine environments. Her work in marine connectivity, bioinvasion dynamics, and ecological monitoring aligns with BLUE CONNECT’s objectives to strengthen MPA networks and improve conservation planning. With extensive experience in international collaborations, systematic reviews, and science-policy integration, her insights will support the ecological connectivity focus of the project.
Laura Darby
Laura Darby brings expertise in MPA communication, stakeholder engagement, and digital advocacy, making her a key contributor to the BLUE CONNECT AB. As Development Lead for UNEP’s MPAth online platform, she has bridged the gap between science, technology, and policy, ensuring complex environmental data is accessible to diverse audiences. With experience in high-level strategic coordination, conservation advocacy, and digital tools for marine protection, her work supports effective MPA management and policy integration. BLUE CONNECT will benefit from her experience with the MPAth platform to boost the innovation aspects in creating the BLUE CONNECT Blueprint.
Virgil Zetterlind
Virgil Zetterlind brings expertise in MPA monitoring, compliance, and marine technology, making him a valuable contributor to the BLUE CONNECT AB. As Director of ProtectedSeas at the Anthropocene Institute, he has led global efforts to map and characterize marine managed areas, enhancing conservation through technology-driven solutions. His work in remote sensing, vessel tracking, and data integration has advanced tools for monitoring MPAs and enforcing regulations. With a strong background in marine spatial planning, geospatial analysis, and open-data initiatives, his insights will support BLUE CONNECT in strengthening data management, better data integration and links with global MPA databases and systems.
Mahmoud Elyes Hamza
Mahmoud Elyes Hamza brings extensive expertise in MPA management and regional-level policy implementation, making him a valuable contributor to the BLUE CONNECT AB. As Director of UNEP/MAP’s Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas (RAC/SPA), he plays a key role in advancing marine conservation efforts across the Mediterranean, with a focus on MPA governance, biodiversity protection, and ecological connectivity. His background as Tunisia’s Minister of Agriculture, Hydraulic Resources, and Fisheries, along with leadership roles in agricultural research and higher education, provides him with a deep understanding of policy frameworks and institutional coordination. His expertise in marine protection, restoration, and regional governance will support BLUE CONNECT in strengthening MPA networks and aligning with global and EU marine conservation goals, ensuring cross-sea basing exchange and alignment.
Myron Peck
Myron Peck is a leading expert in marine ecosystem dynamics, MPA management, and regional policy integration, making him a key contributor to the BLUE CONNECT AB. As Professor at the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), he specialises in biodiversity resilience, ecosystem services, and the impacts of climate change on marine systems. His role as scientific coordinator of major EU projects such as ACTNOW and FutureMARES, along with his involvement in other large-scale initiatives, ensures strong synergies between BLUE CONNECT and related projects, allowing for exchange of knowledge, best practices, and innovative approaches to marine conservation. With extensive experience in policy-science interfaces, biodiversity monitoring, and ecological modelling, his insights will help BLUE CONNECT strengthen MPA networks and align with EU and global conservation targets.