The MSC warmly congratulates Dr David Agnew on his appointment to the post of Executive Secretary with Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCALMR).

Since 2011 David has been MSC's Science and Standards Director. During his tenure with the MSC, he has made a tremendous contribution to the organisation and has been central to establishing the MSC’s position as the world’s most credible and recognised standard for wild-caught seafood.

Notably, David led revisions of the Fishery and Chain of Custody Standards, the development of impacts research and the publication of the Global Impacts Reports series, and the implementation of the Peer Review College. While David will be sorely missed in the MSC, and among our many partners, we are comforted that he will be contributing his leadership and expertise to this leading intergovernmental organisation.

"Over the past 7 years at the MSC I have had the great fortune to work with extraordinary colleagues all over the world – brought together by a commitment to ensure oceans teeming with life and a sustainable seafood market. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of the MSC and its development, and to see it become a key tool in global efforts to secure healthy oceans and well-managed fisheries,” said Dr David Agnew.

David has a long interest and significant expertise in Antarctic fisheries having previously worked for more than 20 years in Antarctic research, and having been Chairman of the CCAMLR Scientific Committee.

David’s appointment to CCALMR follows an extensive recruitment process. David will continue in his current role with the MSC through end of February next year. He will take up his new post with CCAMLR in April.

“It has been a great pleasure working with David since he joined the organisation as Science and Standards Director in 2011. He has made an invaluable contribution to the MSC's organisational and strategic development and will be greatly missed as a friend and colleague,” said MSC CEO, Rupert Howes. “He leaves a highly motivated and capable team with a clearly articulated work plan for our latest strategic plan (2017-2020) and I am delighted that the MSC will continue to engage with David in his new role.”

The MSC is putting together a transition process to ensure that we find a successor to David who can bring an equal measure of expertise and energy to this critical role in the MSC.