Maria Damanaki, former EU Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, is joining The Nature Conservancy as Global Managing Director for Oceans.
Ms Damanaki will lead a global team focused on transforming how the world manages its oceans, including sustainable fisheries management, large-scale protection and restoration of coral reefs and other ecosystems, coastal resilience, and a first-of-its-kind mapping and quantification of the full value of the world’s oceans to people.
“Maria will bring great leadership to our Global Marine team, The Nature Conservancy, and the conservation field overall," said Mark Tercek, President and Chief Executive Officer at The Nature Conservancy. "Our work will greatly benefit from Maria's extensive experience in marine affairs, fisheries and international policy, as well as her strong diplomatic skills and global network."
With over 30 years of public service in Europe, Ms Damanaki most recently served as EU Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries. Under her leadership, the Commission was able to bring fish populations back to healthier levels – from as few as five sustainable stocks in 2010 to up to 27 today.
''Joining TNC is a challenge and opportunity for me. Oceans and seas have always been the background of my life, from my birth on a Mediterranean island to my mandate as a European commissioner,” said Ms Damanaki. “We can and have to do more for the conservation of what formulates 71% of the planet’s surface and the deepest memory of earth and human existence. I am looking forward to contributing to the results that a science based approach can deliver.''
