New President outlines strengths of IMarEST
Expertise lies in breadth of knowledge and experience, says Professor Stephen de Mora.
It is now three months since Professor de Mora officially assumed the presidency of IMarEST, an appointment that comes at a time when there’s more scrutiny than ever on ocean health and maritime issues.
As the former Chief Executive of the world-renowned Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Professor de Mora, who has researched environmental analytical chemistry, marine pollution, chemical oceanography, biogeochemistry, and polar science, knows better than most that the world’s oceans are in crisis and that IMarEST’s membership has a key role to play in resolving this.
“IMarEST is uniquely positioned to bring together global experts and create integrated solutions,” he said, just ahead of attending the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, an event that enticed 15,000 participants, nearly 100,000 visitors, including more than 60 Heads of State and Government, and culminated in a shared call to expand marine protection and lessen pollution, regulate the high seas, and unlock money for vulnerable coastal and island nations.
Since taking the helm at IMarEST in March 2025, Professor de Mora has been busy completing the restructuring of the committees started by his predecessors (Yves de Leeneer and Martin Shaw) along with a change of the Technical Leadership Board, which is becoming the Technical Leadership Committee.
“We’re trying to bring the different SIGs (Special Interest Groups) together, so they can cross-fertilise each other,” he stated.
A global perspective
The restructuring within HQ should be complete by August. “Chris [Goldsworthy, CEO] has done a really good job, which will save a fair bit of money going forward and ensure a far more efficient organisation,’ Professor de Mora said.
“We’re based in the UK, but I am keen we do not feel UK-centric. We have members and branches all over the world, and this is important because the problems we face are global,” he continued, keen that a lot of this work looks outwards, building international connections that match the global span of the maritime world.
Professor de Mora recognises, however, that there are limits. “When you look at the list of external connections we have, it’s pages long and there’s no way we could do it justice,” he explained. “We have to pick and choose, focusing on those where we have a voice and carry the most weight. We have close relationships with the IMO and IOC, and in terms of how many more we can contribute to comes down to time and money.”
The need to contribute on the global stage has never been more pressing. From biofouling and invasive species to new fuels and autonomy, the industry needs science and innovation to identify problems and find solutions. And this is where IMarEST can play a critical role.
“We bring together the different disciplines that might not always work together,” he concluded. “For some problems, you need all of them together, and this is one of the strengths of IMarEST, as we bring together the scientists who identify the problems to the engineers who go out and find the solutions.
“We bring in a diversity of perspectives, from students to retirees, from shore-side to offshore, from a wide range of disciplines and all across the chain of command.”
This is a pivotal moment for our oceans – and there’s never been a better time to join IMarEST and make a meaningful contribution to the future of our blue planet. Discover more about the benefits of membership now.
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Newsletter image: Professor Stephen de Mora speaking at a recent event. Credit: IMarEST.
Main image: calm waters. Credit: Shutterstock.
