The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) is an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). We advise government and wider society so we can secure a sustainable future for our rivers, seas and the ocean. Our mission is to apply our unique expertise to achieve healthy and productive marine and freshwater ecosystems, both here in the UK and around the world.
Cefas has world leading expertise in marine and freshwater science that underpins decision making with local, national and global reach. We help keep rivers, seas and the ocean healthy and productive and seafood safe and sustainable, by providing scientific evidence, data, analysis and advice to government and other partners. We enable animal health regulation, fisheries negotiations, marine environmental planning and consenting decisions, marine conservation and environmental protection. We also respond to serious marine emergencies such as fish disease outbreaks and oil or chemical spills.
Cefas’ Non-Executive advisory Directors (NEDs) advise and challenge the Board and Chief Executive, bringing an objectivity and independence of view to the CMB's discussions. They help provide Cefas Management Board with effective leadership in relation to the Agency’s strategy, performance, and risk and people management. In particular, NEDs play a key role in encouraging an ambitious scientific and technical strategy for the organisation and ensuring high standards of financial probity and corporate governance through their role on CMB’s external committees. In addition to their business-wide perspective, NEDs may be asked to bring their expertise and experience to bear on specific aspects of Cefas strategy and operations.