Paul Holthus

Paul is founding Executive Director of the World Ocean Council which brings together the international ocean business community to catalyze leadership and collaboration in addressing marine environmental issues in support of improved industry operations.

Paul works with the private sector and market forces to develop practical solutions for achieving sustainable development and addressing marine environmental issues. He has worked on projects in over 30 countries in Asia, the Pacific, Central America and West Africa. As a consultant on sustainable development, Paul works with companies, industry associations, UN agencies, international NGOs and foundations, especially in the areas of oil and gas, fisheries, aquaculture, standards and certification.

Past positions include: Deputy Director for the Global Marine and Coastal Program of IUCN - The World Conservation Union; Senior Officer in the Asia-Pacific Program of The Nature Conservancy; and Senior Program Officer of the UNEP South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).