Marine Stewardship Council chair, Will Martin, will retire from the Board in July 2013, after over a decade of service and leadership.
Mr Martin has served on the Board since 2000 and was elected chair in 2005. His career has included positions as a senior fellow for WWF-US; head of international policy for the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and chair of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation’s Committee on Fisheries.
Rupert Howes, MSC chief executive, said: “The MSC has been extremely fortunate to have had, in Will Martin, an international figure with such expertise in the global effort to move fisheries and the supply chain towards sustainability. His insights, connections and the integrity he has brought to the role have been invaluable assets for the MSC in its extraordinary journey from a small, but ambitious program, to the real catalyst for change in the seafood market that we see today.”
Over the course of Mr Martin’s chairmanship, the MSC has rigorously applied a science-based global standard for sustainable fisheries; promoted market preferences for those fisheries that meet the standard; helped increase awareness of marine conservation issues in the market and media; and contributed to a growing stewardship ethic among the seafood industry. Mr Martin leaves the MSC having, in his words, “been fortunate to be one of many team members who have helped lay the foundations for MSC’s growth,” and the Board has thanked him for his considerable contribution over many years.
A number of new Board members, in addition to a new chair, will also be joining the Board over the coming 36 months including some new independent Board seats.
