Angelo San Pablo is an ocean policy professional with experience in federal agency engagement, congressional advocacy, and seafood policy. He most recently supported senior leadership and congressional affairs at NOAA Fisheries. Get to know him below!
Where does your interest in the ocean come from?
When I was a kid, my parents took me to the Philippines for the first time (it was also the first time I had ever gone snorkeling!). I was mesmerized by the colors and abundance of fish I saw swimming in the reefs. During the same trip, my Lolo (grandpa) took me to the wet market in the Philippines, where I saw even more types of delicious fish and shellfish. Since then, I’ve never let go of my dream of working in the ocean space because of these core memories!
What path took you into ocean policy?
During my undergraduate career at Stony Brook University, I completed several research internships focused on marine microbiology, harmful algal blooms, and fisheries management. It wasn’t until I graduated that I decided to work in the aquaculture industry. From working on a fish farm in Hawai’i to improving aquaculture feed sustainability for my Master’s capstone project in California, I began to see the vital role policy plays in preserving the functions and services the ocean provides us while also advancing innovation.
I took a deeper dive into the policy landscape through my experience as a Sea Grant Knauss Fellow, where I supported NOAA Fisheries leadership over the past year. In my role, I learned how to navigate complex sociopolitical dynamics and contributed to preparing briefing materials for senior leadership when meeting with external groups or responding to requests from NOAA or Congress.
What are you looking forward to in your work with ESP Advisors?
The clients and folks at ESP Advisors have a wide range of backgrounds, stories, and expertise. I’m excited to work together, create strategic approaches to advancing bipartisan legislation, and ultimately support our ocean resources and the communities that depend on them!
What’s something that blows your mind about the ocean?
One thing that always blows my mind about the ocean is the stories and historical evidence of what used to inhabit it, like the megalodon or plesiosaurus. While they may no longer exist, we’ve only fully explored about 5% of our ocean. There’s still so much to discover, so who knows what we have yet to find down there!