Werner Ekau has an extensive background in marine research and fisheries biology, with a career spanning several decades. Currently retired, Werner Ekau served as the Director of the Operational Center Germany at the International Ocean Institute from 2003 until September 2022, and held leadership roles including Chair of the directors of the Operational Centers' network from 2004 to 2017. Prior to that, significant contributions were made at the Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT), where positions included Senior Scientist leading the Working Group on Fisheries Biology, Acting Scientific Director, and Head of the Department of Ecology. Further experience includes postdoctoral work at the Alfred Wegener Institute and a guest scientist position at the University of the Azores. Academic qualifications encompass a PhD in Fisheries Biology from Kiel University and a Diplom in Hydrobiology and Fisheries Science from the University of Hamburg.