Paul Anderson, PhD, CAPM, Vice President of Research, Conservation, and Education
Dr. Paul Anderson is the Vice President of Research, Conservation, and Education at Georgia Aquarium, where he leads the integration of science, learning, action, and advocacy to advance the Aquarium’s mission.
In his role at Georgia Aquarium, he focuses on building strong partnerships, advancing science-based conservation, and expanding access to high-quality education programs. He works closely with internal teams and external partners to ensure research and conservation efforts are aligned, inclusive, and impactful.
Before joining the Aquarium, Dr. Anderson founded Aquarium Fisheries, a global initiative dedicated to empowering sustainable aquarium fisheries that support healthy aquatic ecosystems and the livelihoods of people who depend on them. Through partnerships with public aquaria, NGOs, universities, and fishing communities, his work has charted sustainable sourcing pathways, improved fisheries management practices, and increased transparency across international supply chains. One example is through IndoReefFish, a fishery improvement project in Indonesia that applies ecosystem-based approaches to marine aquarium fisheries management.
Earlier in his career at The Florida Aquarium, Dr. Anderson strengthened and expanded the institution’s capacity to respond to marine mammal strandings, rehabilitate sea turtles, restore coral reefs, and advance research on best practices for aquatic animal care and management.
Dr. Anderson has doctoral training in fish behavior and physiology, which informs his collaborative research on the welfare of fishes and sharks in aquaria and in the wild.