Aristoteles Stavrinaky earned a BS in biology and a minor in Marine Ecology from the Universidad Central de Venezuela in 2006. Prior to becoming a LAFF fellows, he worked for the Venezuelan National Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture (INAPESCA) to assess and propose management strategies for small-scale fisheries in the countries coastal regions. He subsequently served as a Fisheries Observer for the Falkland Islands Fisheries Department, working to monitor and assess catch and activity of Southern Atlantic commercial fleets surrounding the islands.

While attending the Bren School as a MESM student, Aristo completed the group thesis project called “The Snapper Saga: An Assessment of Sector Separation on the Gulf of Mexico Recreational Red Snapper Fishery.” Since his tenure as LAFF Fellow, Aristo has worked for the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) as a Fisheries Coordinator in the La Paz, Mexico office, where he designs and implements fisheries management strategies that both embrace catch-share principles and fit local needs.

Aristo is interested in developing sustainable management of small-scale fisheries while preserving the cultural identities of fishing communities in developing countries.