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Marah Hardt

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Biography

Marah is a Director at CEA, with expertise in interdisciplinary research and strategy development for ocean and climate initiatives. She specializes in applying design thinking to solve complex challenges and effective science communication. Her clients include The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Wildlife Conservation Society, World Wildlife Fund, Conservation International, and seafood companies.

Before joining CEA in 2022, Marah was Director of Discovery at the Future of Fish, where she led teams to research and design human-centered strategies to support sustainable fisheries and seafood supply chains around the world, with a focus on Latin America. In this role, she provided strategy and consulting support for NGOs, governments, and foundations. She has led analyses exploring challenges and opportunities across diverse topic areas, such as best practices for eco-friendly aquaculture, oyster restoration, government fisheries data modernization, and the impacts of COVID-19 on the global seafood supply chain. Prior to working at the Future of Fish, Marah was a fellow at the Blue Ocean Institute, where she designed and led its climate change program.

Marah received her PhD in marine science from Scripps Institution of Oceanography and a bachelor’s degree magna cum laude from Harvard University in the history of science. An enthusiastic science communicator and author, Marah has published articles in academic journals and popular media outlets; she released her first book, Sex in the Sea: Our Intimate Connection with Sex-changing Fish, Romantic Lobsters, Kinky Squid, and Other Salty Erotica of the Deep (St. Martin’s Press) in 2016.

Whenever possible, Marah will be with her family on, in, or under the sea, reconnecting with the mystery and wonder that drives her work.