Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara is a marine conservation ecologist who has worked for 40 years to advance knowledge of the natural history, ecology, behaviour and taxonomy of marine mammals and cartilaginous fishes. He earned a PhD degree in marine biology at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (University of California at San Diego) in 1985 with a thesis on the taxonomy and ecology of devil rays, of which he described a new species, Mobula munkiana. In 1986 he funded the Milan-based Tethys Research Institute, which he chaired and directed until 1997 and now again since 2010. In 1991 he spearheaded the creation of the first high-seas marine protected area, the Pelagos Sanctuary for Mediterranean Marine Mammals, established in 1999 by a treaty amongst Italy, France and Monaco. He has served as the Italian Commissioner at the International Whaling Commission (1999-2004), and as Chair of the Scientific Committee of ACCOBAMS (2002-2010). Currently the CoP-appointed Councillor for aquatic mammals at the Convention on Migratory Species; co-chair of the IUCN Task Force on marine mammal protected areas; deputy chair of the IUCN Cetacean Specialist Group; member of the IUCN Shark Specialist Group; regional coordinator for the Mediterranean and Black Seas of IUCN WCPA – Marine; and Advisor, Pew Fellows in Marine Conservation. Teaches science and policy of the conservation of marine biodiversity at the University Statale of Milan. Author of about 160 scientific publications, and several books and popular writings.