Rupert's role within the project is to aid the work of the Steering Group and Working Groups and ultimately to deliver the formal Economic Impact Assessment which must accompany Finding Sanctuary’s network recommendations. He joins us from Atkins, a UK consultancy firm, where he was working as a senior economist involved in a broad spectrum of economic work. In particular Rupert has delivered impact assessments and project appraisals for a range of sectors and activities, with experience gained across the UK and Middle East.

Louise Lieberknecht joined Finding Sanctuary in April 2007. With a background in biology and marine science, she has a detailed understanding of the science of MPAs, and of planning processes which centre on stakeholder involvement. Previously, she spent almost four years as a marine ecologist at the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, where she was closely involved with the Irish Sea Pilot project. She is an experienced user of ArcGIS, and decision support software tools which have successfully been used to support participatory MPA planning in California and Australia.

Shaun is an extremely experienced ArcGIS user and cartographer, who has specialised in the use of GIS for nature conservation. Over his career Shaun has applied his expertise with CCW, MOD and the Exe Estuary Partnership. Shaun has a particular expertise in the integration of Access with ArcGIS and in the extension of these software packages using Visual Basic. He was part of the team that developed the South West marine meta-data catalogue for Finding Sanctuary.

Tom is an ArcGIS and data specialist with a background in oceanography and tropical marine ecology. Prior to working with Finding Sanctuary Tom led research projects in Honduras and Cuba while teaching coral reef ecology to University undergraduates.

Alana provides GIS mapping and communications support. With a background in IT and Environmental Biology, Alana worked for two years with non-governmental organisations including the Wildlife Conservation Society and Blue Ventures in both Fiji and Madagascar. She worked closely with stakeholders on MPA projects to monitor reef productivity, encourage reef rotation and develop alternative sources of income for villages with declining fish stocks.

John has replaced Dan Edwards as Finding Sanctuary’s Dorset Liaison officer. John started scuba diving whilst at university and was soon running the University of London Branch of the British Sub-Aqua Club. John turned his scuba hobby into a job and set up a diving school and dive centre. After 30 odd years of diving he closed the centre and started working for Finding Sanctuary. His diving experience and contacts will be an asset to Finding Sanctuary’s work engaging divers in the region.

Dave Murphy first went to sea on a small day trawler working out of Lyme Regis in 1976, beginning a 30 year career as a fisherman. He has worked on trawlers all around Europe, culminating in a 17 year spell aboard the newly built 26 metre Eurocutter Carhelmar as skipper for the Plymouth business, Interfish Ltd. During this time he conducted numerous surveys for CEFAS and sailed aboard their research ship 'Endeavour' as a consultant. He joined Finding Sanctuary in July 2008 to try and build a sustainable future for all those who use the sea.

Spike Searle is well known in the South West from his former life as a commercial fisherman, working mainly from Newlyn for 15 years. Since gaining a degree in Fisheries Economics, Science and Technology from the University of Plymouth, he has worked on a variety of research projects for CEFAS and SEAFISH, helped fishermen gain grant aid through SWPESCA and was Liaison Officer for the Invest in Fish SW project.

Martin will be working with Finding Sanctuary on a part-time basis as the Somerset Liaison officer. He also runs a research, consultancy and training company for the aquaculture and inshore fisheries sector. This work includes facilitation between differing marine stakeholders in terms of marine spatial planning issues. Prior to setting up his own business, Martin worked for the Sea Fish Industry Authority as their Inshore Fisheries and Aquaculture Adviser for England and Wales where he was the first point of contact for industry with Seafish. Martin previously worked as a scientific officer at CEFAS and as an oyster farm and seafood restaurant manager.

Joana joined Finding Sanctuary in November 2008. Her studies and work experience in Marine Conservation have provided her with a comprehensive understanding of the UK marine environment and a strong interest in MPAs. Through her previous role as Marine Conservation Officer for Cornwall Wildlife Trust, she gained a great deal of experience in public relations and media. A confident communicator, Joana has been involved in stakeholder participation projects both in the UK and the tropics.