Margaux Monfared

Margaux Monfared is a marine biologist and ocean policy specialist working across global engagement, international advocacy and coral reef resilience. At Blue Pangolin Consulting, she supports governments, international initiatives and partners to align science, policy and inclusive engagement in support of effective ocean governance. She previously served as International Policy and Advocacy Director for the International Coral Reef Initiative, where she played a leading role in shaping high-level policy priorities for coral reefs, including the development of global policy asks, contributions to international biodiversity frameworks and support to countries in multilateral negotiations.

Her work bridges field-based experience in coral reef research and restoration with international policy processes, reflecting the growing recognition that effective coral reef restoration depends as much on enabling policy and governance frameworks as on in-water interventions. In 2025, her work focused on addressing regulatory and permitting barriers that delay or constrain restoration activities. These efforts are reflected in recent publications on strengthening national regulatory frameworks for coral reef restoration and rethinking marine restoration permitting to accelerate action (Walton et al., 2025; Unsworth et al., 2025). Complementing her policy work, Margaux has led research on Acropora reproductive ecology in the Maldives, providing the first detailed documentation of exact spawning times across two atolls. This work generated critical knowledge to inform restoration planning, larval propagation, and the timing of intervention activities.

Margaux’s work is underpinned by a strong commitment to inclusive, science-based and community-responsive approaches to ocean governance and conservation. She serves on the Advisory Board of the Coral Restoration Consortium and is also a member of Leading Women for the Ocean.