Fishery education/training

I am founder and Executive Director of Bantani, previously youth-worker, VET teacher and policy maker with Welsh government/European Commission and an international expert in entrepreneurship education and development. Bantani Education is a non-profit based in Belgium and working globally with a mission to transform learning. At the heart is the commitment is equipping young people and adults with transversal skills and mindset needed to be more entrepreneurial in life and work, leading to more learner engagement, active citizenship, employability and self-employment. Our skills work connects across entrepreneurial, digital, sustainability and finance skills development - integrating these in a coherent way across all sectors from pre-school to adult learning. Bantani achieves our vision by bringing extensive policy and practical experience to actions with partners from public, education, civil society and private sector, to research, test and embed high-quality learning practice and policy.

Long-term (35+ year) experience in sustainable economic development, climate change, environment in different economic sectors as an institutional development, strategic planning, capacity development, and knowledge management and communication expert in programmes and projects in Asia, Africa and Caribbean. Working in multi-disciplinary teams and for international organisations (ADB, UNICEF, UNDP, FAO, UNESCO, AU-NEPAD, IFAD-BSF, UNESCO-IHE, DFID, EC-DG-DEVCO/DG-INTPA, ACP-CTA, CAREC Institute), government and research institutions, universities, NGOs, private sector and (inter)national networks in Asia, Africa, Caribbean and Pacific.
In last two decades advising government institutions, international organisations and civil society organizations and networks in Asia/Pacific and Africa on institutional development, strategic and business planning, capacity development, knowledge and information management, communication, partnerships, use of ICTs, and innovation in different socio-economic sectors.
I have worked with international networks, NGOs, community-based organizations and local communities in the broader context of sustainable development with a focus on poverty reduction, gender equality, sustainable livelihoods, life-long learning, health and education. Before 2000 specifically focused on research and management of fisheries in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean.

For more information on my projects see: https://nl.linkedin.com/in/ruudcrul

I’m the Program and Operations Manager at AQUADEV, an organization I’ve been deeply involved with since its founding in 2009, both in France and Haiti. From the beginning, I have contributed to its growth by establishing strategic partnerships in France, coordinating field activities in Haiti, and developing a strong portfolio of high-impact projects.

AQUADEV focuses on environmental restoration, the empowerment of youth and women, and livelihood support for fisherfolk and local merchants. My expertise lies in organizational development and understanding social dynamics across diverse communities. I have championed a strategy based on knowledge transmission to children and youth, using their engagement as a powerful catalyst to raise awareness across entire communities.

Business Development Expert with international work experience. Specific knowledge in the blue economy, aquaculture, fisheries, and food supply chain. Extensive experience with private, public, and intergovernmental sectors. Have led commercialisation, internationalisation, and innovation activities for projects and activities at all maturity and readiness levels. Good understanding of the ecosystems of partners, markets, and funding mechanisms.  

I received my Bachelor of Science degree in 1998 from Cukurova University Fisheries Department in Turkey. Then, I joined the Marmara University in August 2001 as a Research Assistant. I received MSc degree in 2005 (Aquatic Products Department) and PhD degree in 2014 from Marmara University Production Management and Marketing Department in Turkey. I am working as an Asst.Prof. in the Vocational School of Technical Sciences at Marmara University since 2017. I worked at Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Virginia Tech as a research scholar between August 2022 and August 2023.
My research focuses are Aquaculture marketing, fisheries economy, socio-economic analysis, competitive strategy, aquaculture economy, marketing research, research methodology, entrepreneurship, innovation.