Paul Dobbins leads the World Wildlife Fund global project “Advancing Seaweed and Shellfish Aquaculture for Climate Change Gain”. A former shellfish and seaweed farmer, Paul led the development of the US’ first open ocean commercial kelp farms. Prior to returning to the ocean, Paul was a Managing Director at IDEXX Laboratories, focused on the development of animal health diagnostic products and service businesses for both the companion and production animal sectors. Paul served on the advisory boards of Maine SeaGrant, the Aquaculture Research Institute at the University of Maine, the Maine Aquaculture Association, The Maine Technology Institute, Focus Maine, and the Conservation Law Foundation. He currently serves as a US Delegate to the ICES working group on offshore aquaculture, the National Council and Board for Manomet Conservation Sciences, and as an advisor to federally funded aquaculture research projects in North America and Europe.