Mariana Blanco Bolaños
International Policy Officer, Global Fishing Watch
Living in Costa Rica
Mariana studied Law in Costa Rica, knowing from the beginning and without a doubt that she will become an environmental lawyer. Her passion for the protection of the environment has led her to work for several years in advocacy, legal, and governance aspects within NGOs and international organisations, advocating for significant developments such as the law that banned sports hunting in her country in 2012 and constant efforts in the ocean and coastal conservation field. She developed wide experience within the international ocean governance scene as part of the United Nations and Nippon Foundation Fellowship Programme and with her appointment as a Legal Officer for IUCN.
She is passionate about using governance and policy to bridge science, communities, and decision makers and promote tangible and equitable solutions to ocean issues as well as sustainable opportunities for people. Mariana also has a degree in graphic design and is a certified Acroyoga teacher. She is not a regular lawyer; she is a fish lawyer.
