I lead the Mediterranean Science Commission [ www.ciesm.org - a network of 4000 marine scientists], which offers rare opportunities for action in a highly sensitive region of the globe.

I was born in Paris, where I studied economics and oceanography. Thereafter I moved to the USA to complete a Ph.D. at the University of California. My early career focused on the dynamics of marine systems in the north Pacific, the north Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea. On the research side, I was fortunate to discover a series of ecosystem 'markers' and invariants in the architecture of food webs - now a full research sector of its own - which helped me publish a number of 'serious' scientific articles and books on the dynamics, conservation and management of complex ecological systems.

Leaving North America I returned to Europe to oversee pluri-disciplinary programs in International Agencies (UNESCO, IUCN) before taking the lead of the Mediterranean Commission which federates 22 Member States. In this unstable corner of the world, I try to keep international marine programs alive (and well - if possible), and to bring researchers from all shores to work together under the CIESM banner - see our unique Monograph Series on Marine Sciences, now reaching 45 volumes: http://www.ciesm.org/online/monographs/index.htm

At the international policy level I am also quite busy promoting international Marine Peace Parks, and encouraging the United Nations to develop a reliable legal cover protecting all cetaceans on the High Sea. Long, tough but (I believe) essential battles.

What now interests me the most is to connect tools & concepts from distant disciplines and distant regions in order to explore issues from an original angle (e.g., track historical shifts in art & science paradigms; or compare species vs linguistic diversity). Thank you for your interest.