Tommaso Alestra

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Marine Ecologist

Boffa Miskell Ltd

Bio: I am a marine ecologist with a research and consultancy background including manipulative experiments, habitat surveys and environmental impact assessments in a variety of coastal systems. I have also provided scientific advice based on review of pre-existing information as part of state of the environment reports, feasibility studies, expert witness evidence, and natural character assessments.

Originally from Italy, I moved to New Zealand in 2010 and completed a PhD in Ecology at the University of Canterbury in 2014.

At Boffa Miskell, I am involved in assessing the effects on the marine environment of a wide range of infrastructures. I am particularly interested in the role that nature-based solutions for coastal hazards can play both as part of these projects and in the context of climate change adaptation in Aotearoa New Zealand. I am also working on the development and application of eco-engineering solutions to promote marine biodiversity on coastal infrastructures.

My previous experience at the University of Canterbury included quantifying impacts of the Kaikōura earthquake for the Ministry for Primary Industries, monitoring patterns of biodiversity in the Lyttelton Harbour for Environment Canterbury, and assessing effects of marine protected areas for the Department of Conservation.