Maria is the Standards Manager for Health and Welfare at the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), based in Singapore, where she leads the development of health and welfare content, stakeholder engagement, and technical coordination in support of ASC’s mission to promote responsible and sustainable aquaculture. With a background in marine biology and early industry experience at a major seabass and seabream hatchery, Maria has worked across Europe, LATAM, and Asia as a researcher, welfare consultant, and external auditor for organisations such as NSF International, Integra, and LRQA.

Maria holds a PhD in Biological Sciences with a focus on fish welfare in aquaculture and a Master’s in Aquaculture and Fisheries.