Ness holds a Biology degree from the University of York and an MSc in Tropical Coastal Management from Newcastle University. She has a broad range of experience in both tropical and temperate marine scientific research and management, with an emphasis on the study of complex socio-ecological systems. Working alongside Defra and the Marine Management Organisation, Ness helped to pioneer new methods in marine spatial planning (MSP), including the integration of strategic assessment into the planning process, as well as the development of new national seascape character assessment guidelines. Ness has helped to develop courses and lectured on MSP to students and professionals at a number of UK institutions. Her interest in the ecosystem services approach developed as a result of her MSP experience, and she went on to manage a large interdisciplinary European project which developed a framework to value marine ecosystem services. The project explored how these values could be applied to MSP and management through scenario development. More recently, Ness has worked with governments and intergovernmental organisations to address the high seas governance reforms needed to reduce the global impact of IUU fishing. During her time with SAERI, Ness will be working with stakeholders to develop Natural Capital Assessments for Ascension Island, the Falkland Islands, St Helena and Tristan da Cunha. As an experienced scientific and technical diver, Ness is looking forward to exploring the unique underwater environment in the region.

Teresa has a BSc in Marine Biology from Bangor University, an MSc from Heriot-Watt University and completed her PhD at Bangor University in 2018 with her thesis on the Taxonomy and Biogeography of Falkland Island Polychaetes. She has worked at Amgueddfa Cymru-Museum Wales in Cardiff since 1997 managing the marine invertebrate collections, undertaking marine benthic survey work and carrying out taxonomic research on polychaete worms (bristleworms). Teresa has an interest in all groups of polychaetes and has published on new species from several different families from around the British Isles, Seychelles and South Africa. With support from the Shackleton Scholarship Fund, Shallow Marine Surveys Group and the National Museum of Wales, Teresa surveyed the intertidal and near shore polychaetes of the Falkland Islands to compile a list of species for the region. Five new species have been described so far from the work with more expected in the future.

Naomi is an Environmental Advisor with 15 years’ experience in the private and public sector with a strong focus on Environmental Impact Assessment, Environmental Management Plans, public consultation, biosecurity, environmentally responsible operations and government liaison.

Over the past 10 years, Naomi has liaised closely with the Falklands government on emerging environmental legislation in the Falkland Islands and developed methods, studies and surveys to increase understanding of the environment.

More recently, Naomi has moved into the conservation detection dog world starting South Atlantic Detection Dogs in 2019. She helped deliver the first biosecurity detection dog programme for the Government of South Georgia and continues to work and train dogs which detect invasive species. The rodent detection dogs have also been put to use in the Falklands supporting post-eradication work and regular monitoring of rodent-free islands. She is working on a number of other detection dog projects including providing biosecurity detection dogs to the Falkland Islands Government at the airport to prevent high risk illegal meat being brough in, training up a burrowing seabird detection dog (a project supported by ACAP) and working on a feral cat control project in a Falklands National Nature Reserve, through the FIG Environmental Studies Budget.