Dr. Joanna Smith is the Director, Ocean Planning and Mapping with The Nature Conservancy (Nature United, Canada), leading a global team for marine spatial planning (MSP), science, and conservation to support TNC’s oceans programs. With experience spanning more than 20 years, Joanna’s background includes field research, fisheries, conservation, policy, governance, and stakeholder engagement.

 

Joanna has supported more than 10 active MSP processes globally notably the Marine Plan Partnership in Canada and since 2014 the Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan Initiative.  Joanna has a Ph.D. from the University of Washington, was a member of the IOC—UNESCO MSPglobal expert group, and is Adjunct Research Scientist at Fisheries and Marine Institute, Memorial University of Newfoundland.