Shirley BINDER

Shirley BINDER is Panamanian Marine Biologist that works in partnerships, integrating governments for marine conservation policy outcomes. She uses science for conservation, especially for 30x30 implementation in the ocean and migratory species management.

Currently a Senior Officer at Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy (PBOL), that seeks to create marine protected areas. In 2019 Shirley was hired by the Ministry of Environment of Panama in different roles, including Director of Protected Areas and Biodiversity, where she led the expansions of Marine Protected Areas (MPA) to achieve 54% of Panama’s Exclusive Economic Zone under some protection, with 27% of highly and fully no take zones.

In 2022, Shirley coordinated the technical and political aspects of the CITES COP19, being the lead negotiator of the successful shark proposals that were adopted. Through her leadership, more than 100 sharks became listed in appendices of CITES.

She works closely with the Corredor Marino del Pacifico Este Tropica (CMAR initiative with Panama, Colombia, Costa Rica and Ecuador). At PBOL, she oversees implementation of some of the policy work she started in the government of Panama, especially with regards to management plan implementation and shark conservation work.