SANDRA MARSHALL
HABITAT
Bondi Beach and anywhere good food can be found
HABITS
Founder, chief dreamer, cat herder and liner up of ducks. Sandra’s background in architecture lends itself to the project’s complexity and multi-disciplinary inputs. She has a conviction everyone benefits through sustainable practices…what is good for ocean, is good for the fishers, seafood sellers and ultimately consumers. It’s a WIN! WIN! WIN!
HARVEST
A dream job and a values-based proposition, unlikely synergies, cross-industry collaborations, awesome people and talent gravitating to the platform. Happy Fish is anchored in the best marine science, industry expertise, innovative tech and networks founded on trust
CHRIS SMYTH
HABITAT
Victorian Sandy beaches, rocky shoals and kitchens cooking up a storm
HABITS
I approached Chris at the very beginnings of Happy Fish. He had created a sustainable seafood program with the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) regarded by many as the gold standard, forward-looking and where I wanted to take Happy Fish.
It is completely unexpected that years later Chris is collaborating with Happy Fish and is joined by the core of the original scientific panel.
HARVEST
Thanks to what Chris created with ACF, Happy Fish inherits its bedrock of independent science and sustainability assessments undertaken by some of the best marine and fisheries minds in the country.
The Sustainable Australian Seafood Assessment Program (SASAP) is set up to be transparent and independent, it is not industry-driven but rather born out of an environmental organisation and so the environment is unquestionably its focus and bias. Key features include an unparalleled scientific rigour, a consumer focus and a commitment to making sustainability assessments accessible to small scale local fishers who cannot afford alternate schemes. This is what Happy Fish inherits!
DR TREVOR WARD
HABITAT
Perth W.A. and oceans all around the globe, close to and far from shore
HABITS
Trevor is co-founder of SASAP. He is regarded as a big fish in marine ecology and sustainable seafood world by his colleagues globally.
A brief list of achievements in a 40+ year career include more than 20 years with CSIRO, in 1996 he was jointly awarded the CSIRO Chairman’s Medal for Excellence in Science. Recognised as authoring the top 5% global impact publications on fish decline (metrics) slavery in seafood (metrics) fishery sustainability. Since 1999 Trevor worked as an independent sustainability consultant for UN agencies, national governments, seafood businesses and NGOs across more than 15 countries including a review of global peak body Seafood Watch. Trevor has created and implemented leading sustainable seafood assessment programs across the globe.
HARVEST
With Trevor’s love for the oceans and uncompromising approach, we can expect peerless independent evidence-based seafood assessments. Happy Fish is lucky to have caught this fish!
PROF DAVID BOOTH
HABITAT
In the lab, on the high seas, and under the waves shepherding schools of human fish
HABITS
David is SASAP co-founder. As UTS Professor of Marine Ecology David is a teacher, researcher and influencer, passionate about educating the broader community and policy makers. The press frequently seek his insights on topical marine issues. He is not coloured by industry affiliations and his independence mean he will comment where many will not. David’s views are informed by a deep scientific understanding, an international perspective and a wealth of practical experience.
In 2021 David was appointed as a panellist to judge the Earthshot prize- considered the most prestigious global environment prize; and appointed the global protector of seahorses; he won the UNSW Eureka Prize for Excellence in Interdisciplinary Scientific Research.
David’s many hats include coordinating citizen science projects, sitting on the Ocean Science Council of Australia, past president of the Australia Coral Reef Society, collaborating with NSW Department of Primary Industry, NSW Dept of Environment and Conservation, UTS Microstructural Analysis Unit, Oregon State University, the Russian Academy of Sciences and the University of the Virgin Islands.
HARVEST
A great champion of the oceans and a gifted scientist working within academia and beyond to find complex inter-disciplinary solutions to complex problems. It is a privilege and pleasure to have David on board.
DR JOHN FORD
HABITAT
Melbourne VIC, fisheries, radio stations, universities and mushroom cabinets.
HABITS
John is a fisheries scientist, marine ecologist and independent expert in seafood sustainability.
John works right across the seafood supply chain including fishers, wholesalers, restaurants, government and conservation NGOs. He appears extensively in the media as an expert in seafood sustainability, as a radio presenter, and contributor to academic literature and media outlets such as the Conversation. Of particular interest to Happy Fish John is part of the original SASAP cohort of scientists, heading up fisheries research.
HARVEST
Continuity and expertise of the original SASAP Science Panel