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In April this year, Dr Gabriella Bianchi stepped down as the research coordinator for the EAF-Nansen Programme, after having dedicated almost a lifetime to the work of the Programme – throughout its different phases. In fact, Dr Bianchi has been contributing to the Nansen Programme in various positions since the early 1980s, both in the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and at the Institute of Marine Research (IMR) in Norway.

Back in 1981, Dr Bianchi’s journey took off when she, as a junior professional officer at FAO, started participating in the scientific surveys carried out by the Programme’s research vessel Dr Fridtjof Nansen, bringing needed expertise in tropical fish taxonomy. At the same time, the work on board the vessel provided valuable insights into tropical fish fauna and allowed for testing of taxonomic keys that were later used for the FAO guides for the Eastern Central Atlantic and the Western Indian Ocean. Together with fellow scientist Marie Louise Bauchot, Dr Bianchi described the first new species (Diplodus cervinus omanensis) discovered in connection with Nansen surveys.

The Oman Porgy (Diplodus cervinus omanensis), a species that was first described by Dr Bauchot and Dr Bianchi in 1984.	Dr Gabriella Bianchi at the Nansen Forum in Accra, Ghana 2011. © FAO

In 1987, Dr Bianchi started her PhD in Norway, using the data collected by the Dr Fridtjof Nansen in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans, providing new knowledge on tropical fish communities and the environmental conditions associated with them. After having completed her PhD in 1992, she continued working for the Nansen Programme, based at IMR in Norway. Back then, she had many different roles, including being a cruise leader during many of the research expeditions of the Dr Fridtjof Nansen. She was also responsible for the cooperation with some of the Nansen partner institutions, and worked with capacity development activities while serving as the Nansen Programme leader until 2003. For the later years, she combined this role with being the head of the Centre for Development Cooperation for Fisheries at IMR. As an associate professor at the University of Bergen, Dr Bianchi taught ichthyology and fisheries management to students and supervised Master’s students from developing countries across the world.

Dr Gabriella Bianchi and training participants at workshop on basic taxonomy at the Eduardo Modlane University of Maputo, Mozambique in September 2015. © FAO

In 2003, she returned to FAO as the focal point for advancing the practical implementation of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF). In this role, and in the position as Service Coordinator of the FAO Marine and Inland Fisheries Branch, which she held from February 2010 to December 2012, she interacted with the EAF Nansen Project by linking its activities with the developments taking place at the then FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department. Later on while serving as the Lead Technical Officer for the EAF-Nansen Project, she guided the development of the project document for the current phase of the EAF-Nansen Programme (2017-2023).

Mr Einar Telnes from Norad, Dr Gabriella Bianchi representing the FAO’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Department, and Mr. Åsmund Bjordal of IMR, signing the tripartite agreement for the final part of the transition phase of the EAF-Nansen Project. Morocco, October 2015. © FAO

When she joined the EAF-Nansen Programme as the research coordinator back in 2016, Dr Bianchi returned to IMR in Bergen, Norway, while being based part time at the Programme Coordination Unit at FAO.

Among the key contributions, in addition to the coordination of surveys and research work, is Dr Bianchi’s contribution to the development of the EAF-Nansen Science Plan that guides the expanded scope of research activities of the Programme. At present, she is fully involved in the preparation of the history of the Nansen Programme (1994-2016) and is planning to fully retire sometime next year.

Dr Gabriella Bianchi with colleagues at a workshop on the preparation of a publication on the history of the Nansen Programme (1994-2016). © FAO

The legacy that Dr Bianchi leaves is enormous and will never be forgotten. On behalf of myself, and the entire team of the EAF-Nansen Programme, we express our gratitude for her commitment and determination in achieving the Programme’s objectives, as well as her never-ending enthusiasm and positive outlook on life.

Dr Bianchi is a true role model of a scientist, and she serves as a huge inspiration for the future generations of marine scientists.

Thank you, Gabriella!