Julius Francis Woiso is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Technology (SoAF), University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. At the School, he teaches several courses at the undergraduate and PhD levels focusing mainly on oceanography, Law of the Sea and climate variability and change. He possesses over 25 years of experience in different aspects of conservation, research and management of coastal and marine environments in the western Indian Ocean (WIO) region.

Most recently, Dr. Woiso played a key role in the establishment of a Platform for Science to Policy Platform under the framework of the Nairobi Convention. As a trainer and educator, Dr. Francis has led several regional trainings in Marine Protected Areas management and played a major role in the establishment of the first-ever certification program for MPA professionals, Western Indian Ocean Certification of Marine Protected Areas Professionals (WIO-COMPAS): https://www.wio-compas.org/. He has also led the development and implementation of marine and biodiversity public awareness through the production of educational materials.

He is a skilled networker and, over the years, has developed strategic partnerships with different organizations and stakeholders, including UN organizations and governments, such as Tanzania, Kenya, Seychelles, and Mauritius. He has developed and maintained strong working relationships with relevant government institutions in Tanzania, including the departments responsible for environment and fisheries in both Zanzibar and mainland Tanzania.

He is currently leading two initiatives: 1) the development of the new management plan for small and medium pelagics fisheries in mainland Tanzania and 2) a Norad-funded project, Samaki: Fisheries, nutrition, livelihoods, gender and rights in Tanzania, which among others, provided full scholarships to 18 Masters and PhD students.