Andrew Birchenough

Technical Officer for Office for the London Convention/Protocol and Ocean Affairs, Marine Environment Division,
International Maritime Organization (IMO)


Andrew is the Technical Officer for the Office for the London Convention/Protocol and Ocean Affairs at the International Maritime Organization (IMO). He has a background in applied environmental research, focusing on marine pollution and ocean and coastal zone management, and holds a doctorate from Newcastle University. He joined the IMO in 2017, his primary task being to support the implementation of the London Convention and Protocol, the international treaties that regulate the dumping of wastes and other matters at sea. He is also involved in the Office’s Ocean Affairs portfolio, including the Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP) and in other IMO Marine Environment Division work including on Particular Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSAs), matters related to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs, and leading on anthropogenic underwater noise. Prior to joining IMO, he worked for Cefas and was responsible for providing scientific policy and regulatory advice to UK Government and regulators on the potential risks and impacts to the marine environment, and represented the UK at international and regional fora.