Who we are

Marta is an expert at working with small-scale fishing communities, with experience as a researcher investigating socio-ecological systems, consultant for a fishing cooperative, advisor for government on fisheries, and collaborator working with environmental NGOs. Marta is a well-published interdisciplinary marine conservation scientist with a background in marine biology and social science, and continues to present her work at conferences globally. She is an educator who worked for several years as a lecturer in ecology, natural resource management, and environmental policy and socio-economic values, and in numerous other roles she has delivered environmental outreach and education to children, Indigenous communities, adult-learners, and specifically to fisherfolk. Marta is an experienced project manager, who brings her natural enthusiasm and empathy to everything she does. She is particularly skilled at engaging with small-scale fishing communities, working with them to co-design and co-deliver projects, and ensuring that their interests are prioritised. Marta is originally from Italy, but she has lived and worked in the Wider Caribbean Region for two decades, not only in the Turks and Caicos Islands but also in the Bahamas, Bonaire, and Panama. She spent most of this time connecting with small-scale fishing communities which transformed her outlook from focusing on biodiversity conservation to a more holistic approach based on ‘blue justice’ where fisherfolk are central to any solutions. Marta is particularly grateful to the small-scale fishing community of South Caicos, and understanding their struggles and aspirations was a primary motivation for establishing FisherFolkFirst.