Hatim Al-Bisher is a Senior Naval officer in the Saudi Border Guard, whose research interests lie in maritime security, economic, environmental, and marine governance. An expert in Saudi search and rescue (SAR) strategy and maritime policy, he established the first rescue co-ordination centre in Saudi Arabia and wrote their first SAR manual.

Selina Stead is Professor of Marine Governance and Environmental Science in the School of Marine Science and Technology at Newcastle University. A Ministerial-Appointed Defra Scientific Fisheries Adviser for North Eastern Sea Fisheries Committee, her research focuses on coastal governance and marine resource management issues.

Tim Gray is Emeritus Professor of Political Thought and Senior Research Investigator in Politics at the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology at Newcastle University. His research interests include political thought, environmental politics, fisheries politics, and marine governance with special reference to marine protected areas.