Marine Protected Areas
OVERVIEW
From June 18–24, 2025, Global New Orleans hosted the multi-regional project Marine Protected Areas. The program convened professionals from around the world to explore strategies for managing and protecting marine ecosystems. Participants met with regional experts and agencies, including the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ Law Enforcement Division and Wildlife Management Area Program, the Louisiana House Natural Resources and Environment Committee, and the Louisiana Department of Energy’s Office of Coastal Management. The group also learned about the culture and ecology of Louisiana’s coastal zones at the Historic New Orleans Collection. Through site visits, exhibitions, and discussions, delegates gained insight into how Louisiana balances environmental stewardship with economic activity, particularly in its fragile coastal and marine areas. In addition to their professional meetings, the group enjoyed a Global New Orleans happy hour event at Second Line Brewing, as well as an evening of Dinner Diplomacy in the homes of some of our local members.
PARTICIPANTS
Mimi HADJARI
Head, Office of Fishery Products Valorization, General Directorate of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Fisheries
Sagorika SMRITI
Research Associate, CEFAS Project, Aquaculture Network Bangladesh, Maritime University
Camila Eugenia CALDERON QUIRGAS
Co-Founder and Executive Director, Center for Marine Mammalogy Studies (Centro de Estudios de Mastozoología Marina – CEMM)
K. Diraviya Raj
Associate Professor, Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute (SDMRI)
Haitham KHAWAND
Treasurer and Board Member, Noqta Fasila
Nancy Elizabeth GOCHER PADILLA
Senior Campaign and Policy Director, Oceana Mexico
Ana CALDEIRINHA
Researcher, Institute of Investigation and Technology for Agriculture and the Environment, University of the Azores
Marion Antonia ISAACS
Executive Director, We Are Mayreau
Taha Amro BOKSMATI
Marine Planning Manager, Red Sea Global
Fatou MANE
Head, Cartography and Geographic Information Systems for Protected Marine Areas, Ministry of the Environment and Ecological Transition
Edison MARYNATHAN
Freelance Marine and Coastal Environmentalist
Rekha RAJASINGHE HERATH MUDIYANSELAGE
Assistant Director, Marine Unit, Department of Wildlife Conservation
Chun Hao JUNG
Section Chief, Department of International Development, Ocean Affairs Council
Van Hao TRAN
Lecturer and Researcher, Institute of Marine Sciences and Fishing Technologies, Nha Trang University
