Meet the Board

WISE Board

The Weaving Innovations for Sustained Ecosystems (WISE) Board

Highest Qualification
MSc in Natural Resources Management

Country
United States

Ocean Policy and Marine Conservation

Biography
Maximiliano Bello is an international ocean policy expert with almost three decades of experience. He has worked for The Minderoo Foundation, The Pew Charitable Trusts, Oceana, World Wildlife Fund, the Blue Whale Center, Mission Blue and Island Conservation. Bello has worked with the UN and UN conventions and bodies, serving as the UNFCCC COP25 Presidential Committee Ocean Representative in 2019. Additionally, Bello has worked with worldwide governments to establish marine protected areas.

The WISE Board

The Weaving Innovations for Sustained Ecosystems (WISE) Board is a SEA4FUTURE's strategic advisory board, bringing together up to ten internationally recognised experts to strengthen the project's scientific excellence, stakeholder engagement and real-world impact.

By providing independent advice, facilitating knowledge exchange and connecting the consortium with key end users and decision-makers, the Board supports the co-design, dissemination and uptake of innovative solutions for sustainable Mediterranean fisheries.

Objectives

The WISE Board provides independent strategic advice to strengthen SEA4FUTURE's scientific quality, stakeholder engagement and long-term impact, supporting the successful implementation and uptake of project outcomes.

Scientific Excellence

Bringing together internationally recognised experts in marine ecology, fisheries, governance, conservation and innovation, the Board offers multidisciplinary expertise to guide the project's scientific and technical developments.

Societal Impact

The Board promotes knowledge exchange between science, industry, policymakers and coastal communities, helping ensure that SEA4FUTURE solutions are relevant, applicable and responsive to real societal needs.

Ethics & Inclusion

The WISE Board supports transparent, evidence-based and inclusive decision-making, encouraging collaboration across disciplines, sectors and countries while fostering responsible and sustainable ocean stewardship.