Daniel Bastreri Lic. Biol. Oceanography CSci CMSci MIMarEST


Director


Daniel is a senior ecologist  and project manager, with experience in mega-projects in construction, sustainable & regenerative tourism, offshore renewable energy, major port developments, marine minerals (aggregates extraction), capital and maintenance dredging, submarine tunnels and cables, oil and gas and coastal defence, as well as infrastructure, utilities and facilities on land. He is highly experienced and skilled in directing multidisciplinary teams, with specialists in many disciplines, engineers and constructors. He has written call-off requests, tenders, tender response evaluation, EIAs, ESIAs, and Water Framework Directive Assessments Reports, and delivered environmental permits and licenses for marine, coastal and terrestrial projects in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Ecuador and Nicaragua. He has written environmental guidelines for dredging, conducting cumulative impact assessment and the use of environmental quality standards, and published research studies in bioaccumulation of toxic metals and estuarine and plankton ecology in the peer-reviewed literature.


Daniel has expert knowledge in EIA/ESIA, ecology, water and sediment quality, with 32 years of continued professional experience in roles of scientific advisor, senior and principal consultant, associate director and company director. He is a Chartered Scientist and Chartered Marine Scientist with the UK Science Council through the Institute of Marine Engineers, Scientists and Technicians (IMarEST), and he is a member of the IMarEST. Daniel has specialist knowledge and experience in marine monitoring, data acquisition, data analysis and interpretation, design of marine ecology monitoring programmes, marine ecology and aquaculture. 


A  trained expert witness, Daniel has experience in Public Examinations, Public Enquiries and the legal system. He is familiar with the marine planning and regulatory regimes of many countries and regions, including the UK, EU and Saudi Arabia. His expertise includes the use of most environmental quality standards, including IFC Equator Principles, and most widely used water and sediment quality standards.


Carreer


2019-2023:   Associate Director – Senior Manager. The Red Sea Project/Red Sea Global - Environment & Sustainability Department,  Saudi Arabia.

2019-2020:  Senior Consultant. Arcadis - (seconded to The Red Sea Project)

2017-2021: Director. Marine Planning Matters Environment Consulting– London, UK.

2013-2017: Principal Marine Consultant, Thomson-Unicomarine. England, UK.

2006-2013:  Marine Environmental Impact Assessor. Centre for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment Science (CEFAS). Burnham on Crouch, UK.

1998-2006: Water Quality Advisor – Marine Scientist. The Environment Agency, UK.

1996–1998: Consultant in marine aquaculture (Ecuador and Nicaragua). 

1991-1995: Director - Marine aquaculture – several culture facilities and laboratories  for the production of the white Pacific prawn Litopenaeus vannamei in Ecuador.

1989 -1991:  Research Assistant Grade I, Department of Oceanography, Faculty of Science, University of the Republic, Uruguay.

Paul Leonard BSc (Hons), FSRP, CRadP, C. Biol, FRSB, CSci, C MarSci, FIMarEST, FRPSL, FMBA, FLS

Scientific Director


Paul Leonard is an academic and seasoned environmental scientist, based in the London area and has worked in core government departments and scientific institutions throughout his career.  He has specialised in the delivery of science-based policies primarily related to management of aquatic environmental issues. Also, he has had long-term involvement in the design and management of monitoring programmes from point and diffuse discharge sources.

  

In his former role as Head of the Marine & Freshwater Science Unit for 12 years in the Chief Scientist Group of the UK's Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Paul worked with circa 10 policy divisions. This included supervising over 60 R&D projects annually and multi-million GBP budgets.


Besides contributing to over 40 scientific papers, he has regularly advised on the content of many policy and technical documents. His work has included science audits, advising on the adequacy of operational structures, and future needs at government institutions & industry.


Current roles (2024 / 2025):  


• Independent Member of the Sussex IFCA, appointed by the Marine Management Organisation.  Welcome To Sussex IFCA


• Chairman of the Thames RFCC Working Group on Natural Flood Management.  NFM conference: The future of Natural Flood Management in the Thames Catchment | WWT


Paul's extensive policy-related experience includes:


Keynote presentation(s) on UK Energy, Oil & Gas operations & emergency response (Kazakhstan)


Presentation on the UK approach to managing nuclear emergencies in collaboration with the Office for Nuclear Regulation (Cape Town, South Africa)


Co-chair of the concluding session of the 4th International Ballast Water conference; advising on the implication of potential ballast water regulations for world shipping.


Evaluator of the EU funded VALMER project assessing the management of the English Channel regarding Accidental Marine Pollution issues.  


Long–standing member of the Thames Estuary Partnership with expertise in dredging practices that has included advice on the development of the £1bn+ port ~ the London Gateway.  Port | DP World London Gateway.


Paul has been a Council Member of the UK Environmental Law Association  ( UKELA home)  and has advised barristers and solicitors on the application of scientific data.  He has also been a Council Member of the Society for Radiological Protection and chaired one of the Conference's Emergency Planning sessions.  


Academic duties have included Visiting Professorships at Plymouth, Exeter and Brunel Universities.  Other work has included lecturing on marine stewardship at Hull, Sheffield and Queen Mary London Universities.  Media work has included an Earth Watch programme on Radio 4 and advising Sir David Attenborough. He additionally undertakes assessments of scientific competence for the Institute of Engineering, Science & Technology and provides advice, among others, to the Science Media Centre.


Paul was Chairman of the Advisory Group for TRansfer - Exposure – Effects (TREE), a project funded by the UK’s Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) that won the Times Higher Education award in 2016.  TREE Impact | UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology

Dr Silvana Birchenough


Associate Scientific Adviser 


Silvana is a prestigious researcher and scientific advisor on ecological changes resulting from climate and human activities on marine species. Her work has concentrated on ecological effects resulting on seabed fauna from dredging, aggregate extraction, offshore windfarms and more recently oil and gas (and direct effects of decommissioning of these man-made structures). She specialises in assessing changes of marine organisms with in-situ techniques (i.e. Sediment Profile Imagery camera-SPI). This work has enabled the study of benthic processes and functions following disturbance events in the North Sea. This work has helped to develop indicators of seabed Integrity (D6) in support EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive, to improve marine monitoring. She has included in her work the potential impacts of multiple stressors on commercial species. This work has advanced science-evidence of likely climate effects to inform fisheries, monitoring and management activities. 

Silvana is an associated editor of the ICES Journal of Marine Science. She has successfully edited a recent theme set on ‘Decommissioning of man-made structures’, and at present hosting an ICES Theme Set of Developing blue growth strategies in support of advancing the development of Small Island Developing States.


Formerly, Silvana was the UK’s Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture (Cefas) Science lead for the Commonwealth Marine Economies (CME) Programme in the Caribbean. Her role was to oversee, support and deliver several fisheries and climate projects with the aim to generate new science to assist with decisions in support of “Blue growth” activities. Silvana also supported the Jamaican Government on their integration of fisheries, aquaculture and climate change in their policies and applications to support the compilation of an ‘Action Plan’ Her work combines science and stakeholder engagement to understand the needs (socio-political and economic) and to generate the science-based evidence to enable decisions. 

Silvana was also the Cefas Programme Director of the Blue Belt Programme. Her work supported the generation of scientific knowledge across six Overseas Territories (OTs) and their Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). This work was very novel and cutting edge, including areas of fisheries, conservation MPAs, education, habitat mapping and climate change. From this work, she has been able to expand and cascade her expertise to support the Government of Costa Rica in the development of plans for the Easter Pacific Tropical Corridor (known as ‘CMAR’). Silvana has been actively, engaging with FCDO, IncoPesca (Fisheries Organisations) and Minae (Ministry of Environment). She delivered several stakeholder workshops in Costa Rica (in English and Spanish) to capture and develop recommendations and actions to support the development of technical science and a roadmap to advance the CMAR initiative, including transboundary issues such as fisheries, data issues, policy applications, illegal trade (fisheries), climate change and pollution. 

In 2023, Silvana moved to consultancy and her work has continue to advice clients on EIA, HRA and ESDD assessments to minimise the impacts resulting from offshore renewables, aggregate extraction and dredging in the marine environment. She has conducted dedicated case studies in the North, Caribbean and the Baltic Sea. 


PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES



•    Chair of the ICES Diversity, Equality and Inclusivity (DEI) current-2026. This role works directly with the ICES Secretariat to support and assist expert groups on DEI needs (e.g. gender, age, career stages, funding, etc.). 

•    Chair of the ICES Science, Publications, and Impact Group (SIGP) current-2027. This role helps the ICES publication group to determine the science needs and compilation of key resolutions to support science products (e.g. guidelines, protocols, and methods).

•    International representation across expert groups (namely, Benthic Ecology, Marine Benthal and Renewable Energy Developments and Cumulative Effects Assessments) from 2000 to present. 

•    Associate Editor of the ICES Journal of Marine Science (JMS) (joined in 2016). I manage scientific papers across the areas of ecology, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), climate change, ocean acidification, habitats, invasive species, decommissioning of man-made structures and offshore windfarms. I am also part of the mentor-mentee programme in support of the next cohort of scientific editors.



Rachel Kenny BE (Civil), MRUP, FIPI, IoD

Associate Director - Spatial Planning

 

Rachel is an experienced senior manager and professional planner, with over 25 years’ experience working in the planning and development industry (public and private sectors). She is a strong business development professional with a Master Degree in Regional and Urban Planning and an honours degree in Civil Engineering from University College Dublin and post-grad diploma in (Board) Directorship. She is a former President and recent Fellow of the Irish Planning Institute (IPI). 


Rachel is highly skilled in Change Management, Governance, Leadership, Project Management, Marine and Urban Planning, Strategic Planning, and Innovation in respect of processes relating to the delivery of Infrastructure, Housing (incl. SHD and LRD), Energy Supply, and Sustainability projects. Excellent communication and motivational skills and ability to build strong relationships with staff and multiple stakeholders (across multiple government departments, state/prescribed bodies, planning authorities and private sector).  She is a key contributor to working groups to address EU and Irish EIA Regulations, EU Water Framework Directive Guidelines, Judicial Review taskforce, MoUs with EPA, DAU/NPWS, etc. 


Rachel’s advice in the delivery of EnvCR's framework approach for terrestrial and marine space planning will ensure an up-to-date approach, aligned to leading policies on climate change, resilience and inclusivity. Her contribution will be centered on legal and policy framework, zoning and spatial allocation and future scenarios planning.

Gino Sabatini BSc (Biology/Geology)  MSc (Biological Oceanography) 


Associate Director


Gino has over 35 years’ experience in development, preparation, implementation, management and oversight for environmental related projects & programs.  He has a proven record of completed Environmental & Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), Strategic Impact Assessments and environment-related projects in the Middle East, Africa, Canada, and Europe. 

His expertise includes: 

Planning, development and implementation of ESIAs and other environmental and/or socio-related projects and providing services to meet organizational performance and objectives within agreed budgets and timescales, and according to organization’s goals, plans and policies.  

Personnel and project management within a socio/environmental context (Sustainability issues). 

International environmental project development for international development banks, national governments, multinational companies, local governments and companies.

Project and legal/policy development for governments in areas of flash flooding, climate related issues, environmental, social & health impact assessment, fisheries & coral reef management & restoration, as well as other areas.

Gino is a member of the International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) and The Oceanographic Society.


Carreer


2024:  Director of International Projects, Impact Studies, Earth & Environment, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia & Canada.

2020 – 2023: Red Sea Global (RSG). Director, Impact Assessments & Compliance, Environment & Sustainability Department, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

2019 – 2020: Atkins. Senior Environmental Scientist, Environment & Sustainability Department. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

2017 -2019: SNC-Lavalin/Atkins (now rebranded ‘Atkinsrealis’) -Environmental Scientist/Contractor, Environment & Sustainability Department, Canada.

2015 – 2016: CH2M/Jacobs Engineering - Senior ESIA Project Director, United Kingdom

2010 – 2014: WSP -Senior Environmental Scientist, Ecology & Environment, Morocco

2005 – 2010: E&E Inc. (WSP Acquisition) - Senior Environmental Scientist / ESIA Project Manager / Contractor for several environmental consulting firms in the Middle East: 

- Dome Env (Abu Dhabi) 

- Woods Hole Group (Riyadh)

- Jacques Whitford International (Dubai)

2002 – 2005: E&E Inc. (WSP Acquisition) - Marine & Coastal Manager. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

1995 – 2001 - Senior Environmental Scientist / ESIA Project Manager / Independent Contractor for several environmental consulting firms.  Ex – CSSA International, Canada

Junio Fabrizio Borsani

Associate Director 

Acoustics – Noise and vibration specialist


Junio is highly experienced in conducting research projects and reporting both at the highest scientific level and to the general public.

Originally a zoologist, he specialised in underwater acoustics with the Italian Navy (submarine force) as well as academia and different international research institutions, including Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, University of California at Santa Cruz and Ettore Maiorana School of Ethology, Erice (Italy). His research is directed to finding practical and viable solutions to problems arising from the interaction between humans and cetaceans while focussing on the effects of underwater noise. He has undertaken projects to assess the acoustic risk of human activities in multiple locations in Italy and the United Kingdom. These include construction of oil and liquid gas terminals at sea, offshore wind farms harbour construction and the Sicily Strait bridge. 

Junio provided expert advice on underwater noise to the MMO (Marine Management Organization), the CSSEG (Clean and Safe Sea Evidence Group) in the UK and advises into expert groups for the IMO, MSFD (EU Technical Subgroup on Noise, TGNoise Co-Chair), OSPAR, ICES and the Central Dredging Association (CEDA). He is a senior consultant to the Italian Government’s Ministry of the Environment and Energy Safety (MASE) in underwater noise related matters. Member of the steering committee of the Pelagos International Sanctuary for Whales and Dolphins in the Ligurian Sea. 

His main areas of expertise include: a) Marine noise regulations and policy, b) Impacts of man-made noise on marine biota, c) Environmental Impacts Assessment with respect to underwater sound, d) Marine Bioacoustics, e) Design and development of marine acoustic instruments, f) marine sound experiments design.Fabrizio wrote the Italian national guidelines for mitigation of anthropogenic noise in the the sea, as well as the initial assessment of the MSFD-D11, and has conducted extensive studies on shipping noise (Italian seas and English Channel) in line with the proposed new ISO standards. He is member of the working group that supports the EIA-EIS Commission of the Italian Ministry of the Environment and has served as the national reference person for the TG11 (Noise) of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive-GES working group. 

Previous and other positions include:

2015 – present: Senior Research Specialist. ISPRA (Istituto superiore per la protezione e la ricerca ambientale – Superior Institute for the research and protection of the environment). Italy

2012 – 2015: Senior Underwater Noise/Sound Specialist, Scientific Lead in Underwater Acoustics at CEFAS/DEFRA, United Kingdom.

2008 – 2009: Professor of acoustical oceanography.  School of Marine Environmental Sciences, Tuscia University (Italy). 

1998 – 2012: Senior Research Specialist. ISPRA (Istituto superiore per la protezione e la ricerca ambientale – Superior Institute for the research and protection of the environment). Italy


Dr Leonardo Galli – Associate Director (Aquaculture)

           

Leonardo is a highly experienced aquaculture specialist, and a fish and crustacean pathologist and researcher. He has directed large, industrial-scale aquaculture projects and facilities in South and Central America, New Zealand, East Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Leonardo is a Doctor in Veterinary, with post-graduation level studies in aquaculture and has a master’s degree in biotechnology (Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering).


Selected projects:


  • Design, implementation, and operation of super-intensive indoor recirculating water system (RAS).
  • Risk Assessment for the introduction of white-leg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) and Giant Tiger Prawn (Penaeus monodon) in Maldives. September 2022. (Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture of Maldives)


  • Salmon farms in New Zealand, 


  • Asian Sea Bass (Barramundi) farm in Sri Lanka, 


  • Freshwater prawn hatcheries in Bangladesh (WorldFish),


  • Aquaculture Health Plan in a large tilapia hatchery in Thailand. 


  • Coastal Resources for Sustainable Development (PROJECT (Cr 5113-VN) - International consultancy on biosecurity in seed production and aquaculture (CS.04/IAB/PCU), World Bank Project, Vietnam).


  • Pilot project of super intensive shrimp farm in Mozambique producing P. monodon.


  • Health management, biosecurity, and production program in super intensive shrimp farm in Brazil using water recirculation.


  • Audit of the facilities and operation of a tilapia genetic company in Brazil.


  • Health management program in large tilapia hatchery in Brazil.


  • Health assessment of the Zebra fish (Danio rerio) vivarium at the Butantan Institute in Sao Paulo, Brazil.


  • “Detecte” PCR laboratory. Training in qPCR and supervision of lab staff. Natal, RN, Brazil.
  • Consultancy at ABCC (Shrimp Farmers Brazilian Association) “Quality Control in Shrimp Hatcheries”. Natal, RN, Brazil (May 2019)
  • Consultancy on Organic Shrimp Farming project at Andhra Pradesh, India and Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh for WAB Trading International (July-August 2013)
  • Adviser of Shrimp Diseases Diagnostic Center, Potiguar University- ABCC, Natal, RN, Brazil (2000-2003)
  • Coordinator of the monitoring program for White Spot Virus detection in Brazil. Natal, RN, Brazil (2001-2002)
  • Adviser of ABCC – DPA- MAA (Aquaculture and Fisheries Department of Agriculture Ministry of Brazil) for the redaction of the biosecurity segment in “Technological Platform for Shrimp Farming”. 
  • Regional Expert FAO - Project “Assistance to Health Management in Shrimp Aquaculture in Latin America”, TCP/RLA/0071(A).
  • Aquaculture Project’s Reviewer of ANII (National Agency for Research and Innovation, Uruguay).
  • Peer reviewer of aquaculture related publications in Spring Nature journals.