MARINE biologist and environmental engineer Alfred Schumm has been appointed to the board of directors of the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF).

Since 2003, Mr Schumm has been director of WWF Germany’s Marine Programme focused on the north-east Atlantic (including Wadden Sea and the Baltic Sea), west and east Africa and the Coral Triangle. In 2009 he became acting director of WWF’s global Smart Fishing Network Initiative (SFNI).

ISSF President Susan Jackson said: “As our foundation continues to grow, expanding the board of directors to include the perspective of another well-respected fisheries specialist is important to our initiative and its future successes.”

The ISSF board of directors sets policy for the foundation and comprises a mix of scientific, conservation, fisheries and industry experts.

Mr Schumm said: “The sustainability of tuna fisheries must be a top priority in marine management and ISSF’s intent to get at the root cause of unsustainable practices, addressing and correcting less than fully functioning regional fisheries management organisations, is the key to a progressive turnaround. I’m excited to be a part of this.”