Harry Palmier recently joined the GFAR Executive Secretariat as Senior Partnerships Expert under a secondment from the French Institute for Research on Development (IRD). Harry, a native of Guadeloupe, has a PhD in International Public Law and Development from the University of Paris 1Pantheon/Sorbonne and a background in Economics. He has a long standing involvement in agricultural research management and multilateral development.

Aquaculture (the farming of aquatic organisms, including fish, mollusks, crustaceans and aquatic plants) is included in the programs of other NGOs that work in developing and transition countries. However, the scope of these NGOs is usually very broad, and it is difficult for them to divert much of their resources specifically to aquaculture development. Many also lack the technical background to do so effectively.