The Conservation Alliance for Seafood Solutions has hired Frazer McGilvray to be the organization’s first-ever Executive Director. This new role was developed in response to the Alliance’s community growth from 21 to 34 participating organizations within just 3 short years, signaling an overall increased level of energy and commitment to working collaboratively on projects that advance the sustainable seafood movement. The Alliance Steering Committee carefully monitored the increased commitment to collective action and created this new role to harness the Alliance’s potential and, through strategic leadership, guide the community to achieve greater collective impact.
“I am delighted to be the first Executive Director of the Alliance,” McGilvray said. “The conservation sector has come a long way and is now working collaboratively to address complicated issues related to seafood. The Alliance is growing, and is well placed to provide help, support and direction to that movement, and I am looking forward to playing my part in not only improving sustainable seafood sourcing, but also seeing positive change in the water.”
McGilvray is an internationally renowned marine natural resource management professional with more than 25 years of experience. Having worked throughout East Asia and the Indo-Pacific, he has extensive knowledge on marine resource management across several continents. He has worked both on local projects and those that span multiple countries. McGilvray has advised and helped shape government policy in many countries to improve fisheries management, coral reef resilience, food security and economic benefits.
McGilvray was most recently the Executive Director and Board Member of Malama Maunalua, a community-based, non-profit stewardship organization committed to conserving and restoring a healthy and productive Maunalua Bay in Oahu, Hawaii. Prior to Malama Maunalua, he served in instrumental roles at the State of Hawaii Department of Land & Natural Resources, Conservation International (CI) and the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).
“The Alliance has seen impressive growth in recent years and our community is committed to collaborate in new and meaningful ways,” said Timothy Fitzgerald, Director of Impact, Fishery Solutions Center at EDF and Alliance Steering Committee member. “We knew that we needed seasoned leadership to help guide our burgeoning coalition toward its vision for a sustainable seafood system. Frazer brings great enthusiasm and a depth of experience that will both support and lead us as we work together toward that vision.”
Born in Scotland, McGilvray earned degrees in marine biology and applied zoology from Bangor University in North Wales. Having lived or worked on every continent except Antarctica, he now lives in Hawaii with his wife Kate and their two dogs. He is a keen waterman and makes a point of getting in or on the water as often as possible.
