Dr Julian Roberts
Blue Resources, U.K.

Julian Roberts is a marine scientist with a PhD in International Maritime Policy from the University of Wollongong. He also holds a Masters in Marine Resource Management from Heriot-Watt University.

During the last 20 years, he has worked on a broad range of marine issues including: the development of national ocean policy and blue economy frameworks; marine spatial planning; fisheries management and governance; and, preparedness and response to marine pollution. During his career, Julian has worked extensively with both public and private sector organisations focused on the marine environment.

Prior to establishing Blue Resources Ltd, an international marine resource management consultancy, Julian was a senior adviser and acting Director for the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Oceans and Natural Resources Advisory Division, based on London. In this capacity, he was responsible for developing and implementing the Commonwealth’s ocean governance programme and for providing advice and technical assistance to numerous Commonwealth governments on matters relating to sustainable utilisation of the marine environment.

During his time with the Commonwealth he was instrumental in the development of the Eastern Caribbean Regional Ocean Policy and Action Plan and has continued to work with the World Bank on the development of the current Caribbean Regional Oceanscape Project. He also worked extensively with the Government of Seychelles assisting with the elaboration and development of their national Blue Economy strategy and road map.

Currently a member of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA-Marine) he is also an Honorary Fellow of the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security.