Robert Mazurek has spent over two decades leading national and international efforts to strengthen ocean governance, enhance marine policy, and create resilient coasts. He has turned his life-long passion for ocean conservation into a career that has spanned the globe.  Internationally, Robert’s work with the Pew Charitable Trusts helped lead to the creation of some of the largest marine reserves in the world including Australia’s Coral Sea Marine National Park, Chile’s Easter Island Marine Reserve, and the U.K.’s Pitcairn Island Marine Reserve.  Robert also started the Secure Fisheries program, where he worked with the governments of Somalia, Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Mauritius, Seychelles, the Maldives, and Madagascar, to strengthen maritime governance and fight illegal fishing.  He also worked as a maritime expert for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s Global Maritime Crime Program.

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In California, Robert helped create the California Ocean Alliance, developed the management plan for the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, and helped launch the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s world-renowned Seafood Watch program.

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Robert took over as Executive Director of the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation in April 2021 after sitting on the foundation's Board of Directors for 13 years.  

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