Bonn, 30 November 2012 - It was with deep regret that the CMS Secretariat team heard about the sudden death of Lui Bell, Marine Species Adviser at the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) on 29 November 2012.

Lui was a true champion for migratory species conservation in the Pacific Islands Region, who with passion and skill worked with stakeholders at all levels. His support was crucial for the negotiation of the CMS Pacific Islands Cetacean MOU, which was concluded in 2006 and its implementation since then. Lui also worked with CMS on matters relating to turtles and dugongs, and has been supporting the CMS Pacific Officer since her appointment in early 2012.

Lui always was a pleasure to work with or meet socially – his friendly, humorous personality will be fondly remembered and sorely missed!

We take comfort knowing that Lui’s work will live on both through the Marine Species Action Plans that were developed under his guidance, and through the people that he trained and inspired. It is now up to all of us to take the baton and carry marine species conservation in the Pacific Islands Region forward despite this sad and sudden loss – in memory of Lui!

[link to SPREP's In Memoriam]