John Gunn

John Gunn is Chief Executive of the Australian Institute of Marine Science (aims.gov.au) – Australia’s tropical marine science agency. He has previously been Chief Scientist of the Australian Antarctic Program and Deputy Chief (Research) of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) Division of Marine and Atmospheric Research.

His background is in marine science with a particular focus on the ecology of highly migratory oceanic fishes (tunas and billfish) and for many years he played leading roles at the interface of science, fisheries management and policy.

In his various roles he has contributed to national and international programs in marine, climate and fisheries research, from polar to tropical regions, and to a number of international collaborations, most recently as Co-Chair of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission’s Global Ocean Observing System.

Recently he has increasingly been involved in the development of national and international strategies for building marine science capability, incorporating the integration of skills, infrastructure and collaborative partnerships (e.g. Australia’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy; Integrated Marine Observing System).