Callum Roberts
Callum Roberts is Professor of Marine Conservation in the Centre for Ecology and Conservation at the University of Exeter's Cornwall campus. His research focuses on threats to marine ecosystems and species and on finding the means to protect them. His main interests include documenting the impacts of fishing on marine life, both historic and modern, and exploring the theory and practical effectiveness of marine protected areas for conservation and fisheries management.
For the last few decades, he has used science to make the case for stronger protection for marine life at both national and international levels. His research group designed half a million square kilometers of marine protection in the North Atlantic that was established by OSPAR in 2010. They also provided the scientific underpinning for a new ocean protection target – 30% marine protected areas by 2030 – which is gaining widespread support as a follow on to the UN 10% by 2020 target.
Roberts' books include The Unnatural History of the Sea, which charts the effects of 1000 years of exploitation on ocean life, and Ocean of life: how our seas are changing, which shows that the oceans are changing faster and in more ways than at any time in human history, and sets out a series of reforms that could lead to a more sustainable future. His book Secrets of the Seas, written in partnership with award-winning photographer Alex Mustard, includes images of beautiful wildlife and places in the sea. His latest book, Reef Life, is on the past and precarious future of the world’s richest marine ecosystem, coral reefs.
His work on ocean conservation charities includes serving as Chief Scientific Advisor and Trustee of the BLUE Marine Foundation, a UK Ambassador for WWF, a Board Member of the Nekton Deep Ocean Research Institute, a scientific advisor to the Maldives Coral Institute, and an advisor to the Pew Bertarelli Global Ocean Legacy Program.