Innovations for Ocean Action Foundation

Renato Gozzer Wuest

Program Director
Latin America Regional Program
Chile

Renato Gozzer-Wuest is dedicated to advancing sustainable fisheries and marine conservation across Latin America. With a degree in Fisheries Engineering from the National Agrarian University La Molina and an MSc in Economic Analysis from the University of Chile, he leads regional initiatives at the I4OA Foundation to enhance ocean governance. Having over a decade of experience, Renato co-founded REDES – Sostenibilidad Pesquera and served as Latin America Fisheries Director at the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership. He focuses on improving fisheries management through public-private partnerships and emphasizes socio-economic aspects in his research.

Stefany Rojas

Program Coordinator
Latin America Regional Program
Peru

A marine biologist and certified diver, Stefany Rojas accrues over a decade of dedication to sustainable fisheries and marine species conservation. She began her career securing national protection for giant manta rays in Peru and expanded her work globally with Manta Trust. Her efforts in the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (2020-2024) involved leading strategic initiatives to boost fisheries' sustainability in Peru. Based in Lima and holding a diploma in Natural Resources Management, Stefany excels in advancing marine conservation and enhancing coastal community livelihoods through public-private partnerships.

Iván Gómez

Program Specialist
Latin America Regional Program
Peru

Iván Gómez is a fisheries engineer from the National Agrarian University La Molina with extensive experience in analyzing artisanal fisheries in Peru. He led data collection and reporting for collaborations with the University of St. Andrews and contributed to understanding artisanal hake and shrimp fisheries. Iván co-authored scientific publications and presented at a number of conferences on sustainable fisheries. As an independent consultant, he provided technical advice to public entities and NGOs like OCEANA, WWF, and SFP, in their efforts to promote marine sustainability in Peru and Chile.

Piero Rojas

Legal adviser
Latin America Regional Program
Peru

Piero Rojas is a lawyer with over 10 years of experience in Administrative Law, focusing on environmental and fishing regulations. He holds a law degree from the Peruvian University of Applied Sciences and master’s degrees in Environmental Law from the University of Castilla La Mancha, Spain, and in Administrative Law and Public Administration from the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Currently, he teaches Administrative Law at several universities in Peru. Piero has contributed to developing fishing regulations and to improve management and combat illegal fishing. He participates in a number of expert advisory councils, regularly speaks at conferences, and has published extensively.

Percy Bayona

Program Analyst
Latin America Regional Program
Peru

Percy grew up in La Islilla, a small-scale fishing community in northern Peru, where his deep connection to the sea fostered a career dedicated to protecting marine resources. He turned his passion into a profession by earning a degree in Fishing Engineering. Currently, he champions collaborative initiatives to empower Peruvian fishing communities through training, technology integration, and socioeconomic studies. With five years of experience in value-chain analysis and data-driven policy Percy’s varied skills include then use tools for oceanographic monitoring, fishing navigation, and traceability. He has also worked in fish processing plants, focusing on quality, maintenance, and safety.

Manuel Martínez

Program Coordinator
Latin America Regional Program
Chile

Manuel began his career advancing artisanal fisheries in Chile, guided by dual master’s degrees in Fisheries Economics and Sustainable Development. With over 25 years of hands-on experience, he has significantly influenced regional fisheries governance as Manager of Aysén’s Strategic Fisheries Program and Director of Atacama’s National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service in Chile. He has also advised NGOs on traceability and small-scale aquaculture. A former professor at Austral University and researcher at Patagonia's CIEP, his work ranges from innovating in salmon farming to promoting community-led resource management.

Rubén Roa-Ureta

Affiliated Senior Scientist
Science Unit

Ruben is a distinguished mathematician-statistician with over 30 years of experience in fishery resource assessment and management. He holds a B.Sc. in Marine Biology and an M.Sc. in Oceanography from Universidad de Concepción, Chile, as well as a Ph.D. in Statistics from the University of Otago. Ruben has applied his expertise worldwide, working as a Research Scientist at King Fahd University, a Senior Researcher at AZTI Tecnalia, and an Associate Professor at Universidad de Concepción. As an independent consultant, he advises on marine ecology and fisheries stock assessment. Ruben has co-authored 68 scientific articles and serves on the Editorial team of the ICES Journal of Marine Science, contributing to sustainable fishery management across various countries through the implementation of his innovative stock assessment models.

Rodrigo Wiff

Affiliated Scientist
Science Unit

A quantitative ecologist with over 20 years of experience in fishery stock assessment, Rodrigo held a Ph.D. in Biology and Statistics from the University of St. Andrews and M.Sc. in Fisheries and B.Sc. in Marine Biology from the University of Concepción. He played a key role in establishing the Centre for Applied Ecology and Sustainability at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, advised Chile’s government and global bodies like CCAMLR on stock assessments and authored over 70 studies in peer-reviewed journals. A recipient of the CCAMLR Young Scientist Award, his leadership in projects with the Chilean Fisheries Institute (IFOP) and the Coastal Social-Ecological Millennium Institute (SECOS) bridged ecological modeling and community-driven governance.

Dr. Wiff, who collaborated with I4OA Foundation as an Affiliated Scientist, passed away suddenly on September 21, 2025. We deeply mourn the loss of a friend and exceptional scientist, whose expertise, talent and profound collaborative spirit greatly enriched our work both professionally and personally.

Milagros Rojas

Administration and Logistics Specialist
Operations

Milagros holds a degree in Tourism Administration from the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, graduating first in her class. She has extensive experience in event planning, logistics coordination, and team operations. Currently, she provides logistics support to various organizations, planning budgets, and managing travel arrangements, and events. Previously, she managed administrative duties in a Peruvian restaurant in Chile, coordinated guest services at a major international hotel chain, and assisted in handling selection processes and contract documentation for a medical equipment supplier in Peru. Milagros excels in facilitating effective communication and collaboration.

Viviana Jurado

Project Specialist
Latin America Regional Program
Ecuador

Viviana Jurado is a biologist with over 18 years of experience in fisheries research and management in Ecuador, specializing in biological and fisheries indicators, population dynamics, and stock assessment. She has led technical and research projects to promote sustainability in both artisanal and industrial fisheries, working closely with fishing communities, NGOs, and government agencies. Viviana holds a degree in Biology from the University of Guayaquil, a Master’s in Climate Change from the Faculty of Maritime Engineering at the Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL), and a diploma in Fisheries Assessment from the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso (PUCV), Chile. Her expertise positions her as a technical leader in fisheries evaluation, monitoring, and the strengthening of strategies for climate-resilient and sustainable fisheries management.

Silvia Cantos

Project Specialist
Latin America Regional Program
Ecuador

Silvia Cantos is a professional with over 12 years of experience in Ecuador’s artisanal fisheries sector. She holds a degree in Marketing Engineering, a Master’s in Neuromarketing, a specialization in Gender Equity, and a diploma in Rural Extension and Community Service. Silvia has led implementation of initiatives to advance gender equity, governance, and sustainability, empowering artisanal fishers along the value chain. Her work focuses on capacity building in marketing, entrepreneurship, resource monitoring, and productive associations. Silvia is recognized for promoting responsible fishing practices and fair market access amongst artisanal fishing communities.

David Población

Senior Software Architect
Systems Unit

David Población is a software architect with over 20 years of experience in backend development, distributed systems, and real-time data processing. He has led the evolution of large-scale platforms, including a fleet management system for over 60,000 vehicles. David now focuses on applying emerging technologies to marine resource governance, designing digital solutions that provide transparent, tamper-proof records to support small-scale fishers, regulatory compliance, and sustainable practices. He combines deep technical expertise with a commitment to scalable, open systems that empower communities and institutions through digital transformation.