Journal of Marine Environmental Policy & Governance
Editorial Board
The Journal of Marine Environmental Policy & Governance (JMEPG) is supported by an international Editorial Board comprising scholars and practitioners with expertise across marine environmental policy, governance, fisheries management, marine pollution, socio-ecological systems, and coastal sustainability.
Our Editorial Board ensures rigorous peer review, editorial independence, and the highest standards of academic integrity.
Editor-in-Chief
Prof Angelo Nicolaides, PhD, DPhil, DCom, DTh
University of Zululand, South Africa
Governance and Ethical practice toward sustainability, Business Management, Globalisation, International History, Philosophy
Professor Angelo Nicolaides is a senior academic in the Department of Philosophy and Applied Ethics at the University of Zululand, South Africa. His research spans ethics, governance, sustainability, stakeholder management, theology, and education, with a strong focus on ethical frameworks for sustainable development and institutional practice. He has published extensively in high-impact international journals and has received multiple research excellence awards, including the Emerald Literati Network Award for Excellence. His work integrates ethical theory with applied environmental and social governance, contributing to policy-relevant scholarship and community-engaged research in rural development and sustainability.
Editorial Assistant
Stephanie Nicolaides is a PhD candidate in Marine and Environmental Science with a research focus on marine pollution, microplastics, fisheries governance, and the science–policy interface in coastal systems. Her work integrates field-based ecological research with social and policy-oriented approaches, including environmental governance, regulatory frameworks, and stakeholder knowledge. Stephanie is actively engaged in interdisciplinary research and science communication aimed at strengthening evidence-based marine policy and sustainable ocean management
Stephanie Nicolaides, PhD (Cand.)
University of the Western Cape, South Africa
Editorial Board
Prof. Thauan Santos
Brazilian Naval War College (EGN), Brazil
Professor | Coordinator, Blue Economy Group (GEM) | Postdoctoral Researcher, Center for the Blue Economy (CBE/MIIS) & Dipartimento di Scienze Economiche (DSE/UniBo)
Dr. Thauan Santos is a professor at the Graduate Program in Maritime Studies of the Brazilian Naval War College (PPGEM/EGN) and coordinator of the Blue Economy Group (GEM). He holds a BA in Economics (UFRJ), MA in International Relations (PUC-Rio), and a Ph.D. in Energy Planning (COPPE/UFRJ), with postdoctoral research on Blue Economy at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (CBE/MIIS, USA) and in Economic Sciences at the University of Bologna (DSE/UniBo, Italy). He is a member of the Pool of Experts of the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UN DOALOS) and the Global Ocean Accounts Partnership (GOAP). His research focuses on the blue economy, ocean governance, marine spatial planning (MSP), energy, and Latin America.
Dr. Thomas Noji
Ocean Associates, Inc., United States
Senior Consultant | Former Ecosystems & Aquaculture Director, NOAA Fisheries NEFSC | Ph.D. (Biological Oceanography), Kiel University (Germany) — carbon flux, plankton, climate & fisheries
Dr. Thomas Noji received his PhD in Biological Oceanography in 1989 from the University of Kiel, Germany. He spent 11 years as a research scientist at the Institute of Marine Research in Bergen, Norway, before joining the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Dr. Noji subsequently served as Director of the Ecosystems and Aquaculture Division at NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center, a role he held until 2022. He is currently a Senior Consultant at Ocean Associates, Inc., based in the United States. His research expertise spans carbon sequestration, essential fish habitat, climate dynamics, marine aquaculture, and ocean management.
Alfred "Bubba" Cook Jr.,
Policy Director, Sharks Pacific, New Zealand
Fisheries Policy & Governance | Rights-Based Management (IFQs) | Indigenous Fisheries Rights | Conservation Advocacy | Fisheries Technology & MCS | Former WWF & NOAA Fisheries
Alfred “Bubba” Cook is a marine policy and governance professional with more than two decades of experience advancing fisheries conservation through law, institutions, and international cooperation. His career integrates operational, legal, and diplomatic perspectives shaped by early service in the U.S. Navy’s Nuclear Power Program and formal training in fisheries science and environmental law. Cook has held senior policy roles within the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service and the World Wide Fund for Nature, contributing to the design and implementation of some of the world’s most complex large-scale fisheries management regimes. His work in the Western and Central Pacific was instrumental in advancing binding regional measures on fisheries observer safety and fishing crew welfare. He currently serves as Policy Director for Sharks Pacific, focusing on governance reform, market-based tools, and technological innovation for shark conservation.
Dr. Tanya Erasmus
Lecturer, Vaal University of Technology, South Africa
Environmental Management | Marine & Coastal Governance | Ecotourism & Sustainability | Socio-Environmental Systems | Research Methodology & Statistics
Dr. Tanya Erasmus is a Lecturer at the Vaal University of Technology, South Africa, with expertise in environmental management, sustainability, and socio-ecological systems. She holds a PhD in Environmental Management from the University of South Africa and a Master of Technology in Ecotourism Management from Tshwane University of Technology. Her research focuses on environmental governance, sustainable tourism, environmental policy, and the integration of socio-environmental considerations into management frameworks. Dr. Erasmus brings strong experience in research methodology, applied environmental analysis, and higher education, contributing an interdisciplinary perspective to the Journal of Marine Environmental Policy & Governance.
Dr. Rahmani-Meraits is a senior international advisor and marine and coastal strategist with over 26 years of experience across offshore energy, subsea operations, and marine environmental governance. A PhD candidate in Marine Sciences and Oceanography, he advises governments, international institutions, and multinational organizations on marine and coastal policy, environmental compliance, and strategic governance frameworks. His work focuses on bridging operational marine intelligence with high-level policy and decision-making in complex marine and coastal environments. I look forward to working closely with you and the Editorial Board in support of JMEPG’s continued growth and international impact.
Dr. Rahmani Mraits Lyes
Senior Marine and Coastal Environmental Advisor, Ecosea7, Morocco
Environmental Expert I Subsea Operations Manager I Oceanographer
Dr Pete Jeffs was trained in the Life Sciences: Degree in Botany (Durham), PhD in Evolutionary Biology (Cambridge). Growing up on the shores of the Clyde, he spent formative periods on the Dornoch Firth, the Pentland Firth, the Morbihan (France), later, the Somerset coast. These coastal experiences led him to found the Western European Atlantic Coastal BioRegional Group in July 2024. The seminar group learns through discussion at the intersection of cultural ecology, coastal regeneration, and storytelling. His aim is to weave science, land and coastal relationships, Indigenous learning and healing, into public-facing education with marine and coastal focus. His work focuses on bridging operational marine intelligence with high-level policy and decision-making in complex marine and coastal environments. I look forward to working closely with you and the Editorial Board in support of JMEPG’s continued growth and international impact.
Dr. Pete Jeffs
Cultural Ecology, Coastal Regeneration & Bioregional Learning | Founder, Root to Reef | University of Cambridge (PhD)
Prof. David Ming is an academic researcher and educator with a multidisciplinary background spanning theology, education, leadership, and applied research. He holds a Bachelor of Theology from Bethany Bible Institute Surabaya, a Master of Arts from Harvest Bible College, and is completing his Doctor of Theology at Kadesi Theological Seminary, Yogyakarta. His scholarly work emphasizes literature-based research, critical analysis, and solution-oriented approaches to complex educational and governance challenges. Dr Santos holds a PhD in Energy Planning from COPPE/UFRJ and has completed postdoctoral research at the Center for the Blue Economy (Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey) and at the Dipartimento di Scienze Economiche, University of Bologna. His work focuses on integrating ocean-based solutions into climate policy, international cooperation, marine governance frameworks, and sustainable economic transitions, with particular emphasis on offshore energy, marine spatial planning, and the political economy of the oceans. He is actively engaged in policy-oriented research and high-level dialogue linking science, governance, and investment, and regularly contributes to national and international discussions on ocean governance, climate resilience, and sustainable development. His scholarly output includes peer-reviewed publications, policy reports, and book chapters addressing blue economy governance and ocean-based climate solutions.
Prof David Ming
Yogyakarta Kadesi Theological College, Indonesia
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Hina Moin (Talib) PhD (Cand.)
Jinnah University for Women, Pakistan
PhD Scholar | Lecturer | Head of Marine Biological Society | Marine Zoologist | Environmental Advocate | Microplastic Researcher in Marine and Coastal Ecosystem
Hina Moin (Talib) is a PhD Scholar in Marine Environmental Sciences, specializing in microplastic pollution in coastal and estuarine ecosystems of Pakistan. Her doctoral research focuses on the abundance, characterization, and trophic transfer of microplastics in commercially important marine invertebrates and fishes from the Indus Delta. She has strong experience in experimental design, statistical analysis, and scientific manuscript preparation, with research outputs submitted to peer-reviewed journals. Her academic interests include marine pollution, ecosystem health, and data-driven environmental management. She aims to contribute to high-quality peer review and interdisciplinary dialogue at the science–policy interface.
Rachidou Amadou Guimbari PhD (Cand.)
CARE Niger, Niger
Agronomist Engineer | Specialist in Environmental Protection and Improvement of Sahelian Agricultural Systems
Amadou Guimbari Rachidou is a researcher specialising in sustainable natural resource management in Sahelian and Saharan environments of Niger, with a strong agroecological focus. His work integrates socio-economic and agronomic approaches to address land degradation, soil fertility decline, and climate change impacts on agricultural systems. His research on Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) and biochar applications provides policy-relevant evidence for climate resilience, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable rural development in arid and semi-arid regions.
Esma Bounouh is a fisheries analyst with professional experience spanning fisheries governance, sustainability standards, and evidence-based policy support. She currently works with the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), where her work focuses on advancing responsible aquaculture practices, data-driven decision-making, and the integration of science into certification and management frameworks. Her interests lie at the intersection of fisheries and aquaculture policy, marine sustainability, and governance mechanisms that support equitable and environmentally sound food systems. Esma brings a strong analytical perspective and an applied understanding of sustainability policy to the Journal of Marine Environmental Policy & Governance.
Esma Bounouh
Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Nice, France
Fisheries Analyst
Roles & Responsibilities
Members of the Editorial Board contribute by:
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Managing peer review processes
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Advising on journal scope and policy
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Supporting special issues and thematic collections
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Promoting ethical publishing standards
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Strengthening the journal’s international profile
Join the Editorial Board
JMEPG welcomes expressions of interest from scholars and practitioners working in:
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Marine environmental policy and governance
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Fisheries management and compliance
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Marine pollution and plastics governance
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Coastal and ocean sustainability
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Socio-ecological and qualitative research
For enquiries, please contact: info@jmepgjournal.com