Alberto Carlos Martín Aristín, the Marine Stewardship Council's new director for Spain and Portugal
Marine Stewardship Council.
The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has a new director for Spain and Portugal, with the appointment of marine scientist and sustainable fisheries specialist, Alberto Carlos Martín Aristín.
The leadership change follows the news that Laura Rodríguez Zugasti, who has served as the MSC's first director in the region since 2011, is moving to a role within the organization’s global team, as Head of Species Strategies and Pathways.
Martín Aristín, a Marine Sciences graduate from the University of Vigo with a Master’s in Marine Environmental Protection from Bangor University, brings more than 20 years of experience in the fishing and aquaculture sectors, with a long-standing commitment to sustainable fishing and marine resource conservation. His career spans roles in international cooperation projects, particularly in Africa, and positions in prominent organizations such as BioMar, Fundación CETMAR, and the Environmental Justice Foundation.
Martín Aristín joined MSC in 2017 as the fisheries manager for Spain and Portugal, later expanding his responsibilities to oversee fisheries in Southern Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. During his tenure, the volume of certified sustainable fishing in Spain grew from 25,000 tons to over 440,000 tons, establishing MSC as a leader in promoting good fishing practices in the region.
In his new role, Martín Aristín will work to strengthen MSC’s fisheries programs and increase recognition for fleets practising sustainable fishing.
“It’s crucial to acknowledge the significant efforts made by a large part of the primary fishing sector in both Spain and Portugal, despite all the challenges they face, and to ensure that this work is rewarded in commercial channels,” he said.
“I will continue the excellent work MSC has done in recent years, strengthening ties with other organizations, national and regional governments, creating positive impacts, and aligning strategies. Fishing is essential in our country, and it’s proven that when well-managed, it can be a perfectly sustainable activity," Martín Aristín added.
"In the next five years, our organization’s goal is to solidify our progress toward more sustainable fishing in Spain and Portugal," said Edouard Le Bart, MSC's regional director for Southern Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia.
"With his extensive experience, vision, and knowledge of the sector, there’s no doubt that Alberto is the right person to lead MSC’s Iberian team in the next phase of this journey, working alongside all our stakeholders.”
Laura Rodríguez will occupy her new position in September.
In a LinkedIn post, outgoing director Laura Rodríguez Zugasti congratulated her successor, calling the appointment "A new chapter for the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) office in Spain and Portugal, to which I wish all the success."
"It’s also a new chapter for me, as since September I have taken on a new challenge at the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) as Head of Species Strategies and Pathways within the global team," Rodríguez Zugasti continued.
"My work now focuses on advancing the most strategic species for the organization: tuna, whitefish, small pelagics, among others. Additionally, I will be strengthening the strategy for the pre-certification Pathways projects being developed in many parts of the world to support fisheries on their journey toward sustainability."
"I will continue working from Madrid and look forward to seeing many great updates from the Spain and Portugal team with Alberto Martín Aristín at the helm," she added.