Francisco Blaha

Francisco Blaha has been immersed in the fisheries sector since his teenage years, beginning as a deckhand and progressing to a globally recognised specialist adviser.

With experience spanning over 55 countries, he has worked with international development organisations, governments, and the UN FAO as a Senior Fishery Officer.

Francisco brings a multidisciplinary approach to his work, holding MSc degrees in fisheries and food science, as well as a Rhodes Ocean Scholar diploma in the Law of the Sea.

His expertise encompasses MCS integration, Port State Measures, Catch Documentation Schemes, Marine Domain Awareness tools, EU Market Access Requirements, and Infrastructure planning.

Increasingly, he is also engaged in fishers' labour rights, both in practice and research.

A dynamic force in fisheries governance and sustainability, Francisco works fluently in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.