Mission
Pro Coral Fish is an independent scientific initiative dedicated to making coral reef fishes visible through science, transparent trade data and evidence-based conservation.
By bringing together ecological research, wildlife trade monitoring and conservation policy, the initiative aims to improve our understanding of coral reef fishes and support informed decisions for their future.
The information presented on this website is intended for everyone interested in coral reef fishes—from the general public and aquarium hobbyists to researchers, conservation practitioners and decision-makers.
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Dr. Monica V. Biondo
Head of Research and Conservation
Fondation Franz Weber, Switzerland
Dr. Monica V. Biondo obtained her PhD in Biology from the University of Bern in 2019. She has worked on the conservation and international trade of marine ornamental fishes for almost two decades and has been Head of Research and Conservation at Fondation Franz Weber since 2013..
Her research focuses on the international trade in coral reef fishes, particularly the use and further development of the European Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES) to improve wildlife trade monitoring. She has worked on CITES-related conservation issues since the mid-1990s and is a member of the IUCN SSC Species Monitoring Specialist Group and the International Coral Reef Society. She also contributed to the IPBES Assessment Report on the Sustainable Use of Wild Species (2022).
In 2013, she received the environmental award Trophée de Femmes from the Yves Rocher Foundation.
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6840-7403
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Dr. Ricardo Calado
Coordinating Researcher
University of Aveiro, Portugal
Dr. Ricardo Calado obtained his PhD in Biology (specialisation in Animal Biotechnology) from the University of Lisbon in 2005. He is currently Coordinating Researcher at the University of Aveiro, where he develops independent research on Sustainable Blue Growth.
He has authored more than 270 peer-reviewed scientific publications and serves as Co-Editor-in-Chief of Aquaculture, Fish and Fisheries (Wiley). He coordinates one of the research units of CEPAM–ECOMARE and one of the Portuguese Blue Hubs (CITAQUA), which host state-of-the-art research facilities dedicated to applied marine ecology, sustainable aquaculture and blue biotechnology.
For more than twenty years, his research has focused on the Aquaculture, Biology and Conservation (ABC) of marine ornamental species. He is particularly interested in the traceability of marine species traded for food and the aquarium industry and actively collaborates with authorities to develop new approaches and tools to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1670-9335
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Rainer P. Burki
Software Developer and Data Analyst
Switzerland
Rainer P. Burki graduated in Computer Science from ETH Zurich and worked in the telecommunications industry for almost twenty years. In 2012, he completed a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Sustainable Development at the University of Bern.
He develops the databases and analytical tools used to analyse the international trade in marine ornamental fishes, including software that integrates information from FishBase and the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS). He also develops and maintains several web services for environmental and non-governmental organisations.
His expertise in database design and software development has been instrumental in analysing Swiss and European trade data.
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5921-407
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Francisco Aguayo
Economist
National Autonomous University of Mexico
Francisco Aguayo studied economics at the National Autonomous University of Mexico and Maastricht University (The Netherlands). He was a researcher at the Science, Technology and Development Program of El Colegio de México from 1998 to 2010 and has served as consultant to numerous development agencies and conservation organisations.
He has published extensively on sustainable development, energy innovation systems, industrial organisation, climate change mitigation and the economics of wildlife trade. He currently teaches at the Faculty of Higher Studies Cuautitlán of the National Autonomous University of Mexico and is a member of the World Economics Association.
His expertise provides an important economic perspective on the international trade in marine ornamental fishes and the policies required for their long-term conservation.
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6274-0234
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Contact
For general enquiries, collaborations or media requests, please contact:
info[at]procoralfish.org