Keynote Speakers
Dr Judy Mann-Lang
Judy is passionate about the ocean and inspiring people to care for nature. She caught her first fish at the age of two! Through her career she has combined her passions through education and training, management, leadership and research. After 30 years at the South African Association for Marine Biological Research in leadership roles including the first woman CEO, she is now Executive: Strategic Projects for the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation. She holds degrees in Ichthyology, Business Administration and a PhD from the University of Queensland, Australia. She worked closely with recreational anglers as a scientist with the Oceanographic Research Institute and she later led ORI’s Recreational Angler Communication Campaign.
Dr Nelly Isigi Kadagi
Dr. Nelly Isigi Kadagi is a conservation leader, fisheries scientist, and educator, working at the interface of science, policy and capacity development. She is the Director, World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) Education for Nature Program and Conservation Leadership and the Co-Principal Scientist of the WIOMSA-MASMA funded BILLFISH-WIO project – a multidisciplinary and multi-country research project bringing together 10 countries and diverse collaborators.
In her current role at WWF-USA, Nelly oversees the organization’s strategy for conservation capacity development and leads the operation of the Russell E. Train Education for Nature Program (EFN), a longstanding initiative with over 28 years of success working to enhance capacities for conservation leadership and science across the globe.
Her work as a fisheries scientist has primarily focused on understanding sport and recreational fisheries in coastal East Africa, sources of fisheries conflicts and improving the quality of fisheries data collection, analysis, and reporting, particularly large pelagic fish such as billfish. Nelly’s pioneer work on billfish species has seen her conceptualize and lead the largest billfish research group in the Indian Ocean (BILLFISH-WIO). She has also served as the Director of Research and fundraising for the African Billfish Foundation where she championed billfish research, and as a United Nations – FAO-IOTC regional fisheries expert tasked with improving data collection and reporting for sport and recreational fisheries.
Dr Valerio Sbragaglia
Born in a small Italian town with a rich tradition of marine recreational fishing, I developed an early passion for fishing (and especially spearfishing) that later shaped my academic journey. Since completing my PhD in marine science in 2015, recreational fishing has been at the heart of my research. I am an integrative marine ecologist interested in understanding how animal behaviour influences fisheries—and, in turn, how fishing influences animal behaviour. In recent years, I have also explored the innovative use of social media to explore the ecological and social dimensions of recreational fisheries. After first attending WRFC8 in 2017, I am truly honoured to deliver a keynote at WRFC11. I look forward to connecting with you all at this inspiring event that has shaped—and continues to shape—my career. It will be a lot of fun!
Prof. Steven J. Cooke
Steven J. Cooke is a professor of applied fish ecology at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. His work is focused on developing solutions for complex environmental problems including those related to recreational fishing. He is particularly well known for his work on catch-and-release science and working at the interface of the natural and social sciences. He is a Fellow of the American Fisheries Society, recipient of the IGFA Conservation Award, and was recently inducted into the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame. Cooke is a multi-species angler and proud father of three children.
