OUR TEAM
We strive to make a positive difference with excellence and integrity.
For more than 25 years, C₂O Fisheries has collaborated with an extensive network of leading researchers and consultants, and we work with an impressive pool of skilled associates with many years of specialised experience. Collectively, this pool of expertise gives C₂O the capacity to successfully deliver solutions to a vast range of multi-disciplinary fisheries-related projects across the globe.
David Welch
PRINCIPAL & SENIOR SCIENTIST
David is the founder of C₂O Fisheries and co-founder of C₂O Pacific and brings more than 30 years of experience in fisheries research to enhance tropical fisheries management outcomes throughout the world.
David specialises in national and community-based coastal resource management capacity building in developing countries, particularly in the Pacific region, and his passion is to effectively and sustainably transform coastal resource management through empowerment. He has also authored over 130 peer-reviewed journal articles, technical reports and popular articles.
Dr Johanna Johnson
AFFILIATE SCIENTIST & COLLABORATOR
Johanna has 26 years' experience in marine research and management in Asia-Pacific, and specialises in climate change vulnerability and adaptation, community-based conservation, marine monitoring, reef resilience, synthesis and providing decision-support. Johanna is a Senior Partner of C₂O Consulting and is also a Director of C₂O Pacific.
Dr Colin Simpfendorfer
AFFILIATE SCIENTIST & COLLABORATOR
Colin is an Adjunct Professor at James Cook University and a globally renowned shark and ray specialist with more than 30 years of experience studying these important ocean predators to inform conservation and management. He has worked in academia, government and the private research sector in many parts of the world. Colin has authored more than 250 peer-reviewed publications, supervised many postgraduate students, and is currently working as a private consultant.
Dr Ursula Kaly
AFFILIATE SCIENTIST & COLLABORATOR
Ursula has 30+ years of international experience working on the interface between humans and our resources and environment, particularly in development and natural and human vulnerability. This has included work on project design, monitoring and evaluation, fisheries and environmental management, data collection and processing, statistics, education and training, and consultations. Ursula's work has spanned 22 countries, largely in the Pacific, but also includes work in the Indian Ocean and South-East Asia regions. Much of her work has been in small island developing states (SIDS) and on multi-country projects.
