Jo Klemke brings a lifelong connection to Australia’s coasts and marine environments to her consulting work — from growing up by the sea and years of diving and snorkelling, to a career dedicated to their management and protection. That personal connection, combined with deep local knowledge built over decades of work with marine scientists, community groups, industry and government stakeholders, underpins everything she does.
Jo holds a PhD in marine science and has more than 25 years of senior experience across multiple Victorian government agencies, where she led programs, shaped policy, drove regulatory reform and delivered complex environmental and natural resource management outcomes. She has also represented Victoria in national environmental regulatory and fisheries assessment processes, and on national coastal, marine and aquaculture committees and working groups.
Throughout her career she has bridged science, policy and practice — translating complex evidence into practical, effective advice and solutions that work for the environment, industry and community. Her technical expertise spans marine and coastal environments, biodiversity, fisheries and aquaculture, water quality, protected areas and sustainable development, with extensive experience across the legislative, governance and regulatory frameworks that govern them.
Having worked across both the environment and fisheries and aquaculture sectors, she brings a distinctive ability to navigate the perspectives, priorities and tensions that often define complex resource management challenges. Jo Klemke Consulting draws on this depth of experience to provide balanced, evidence-informed advice on strategy, policy, assessments, regulatory approvals and management.
Recognising that marine environments are inextricably linked to waterways, coasts and catchments, she is also experienced in integrated, cross-environment assessments, issues and strategies.
Career Highlights
Marine and Coastal Management
Led Victoria’s Marine Environment Policy Program for over a decade, driving an integrated catchment-to-coast, ecosystem-based management agenda and a $2M+ foundational science and management program.
Port Phillip Bay Environmental Management Plan
Developed the inaugural Plan, translating a $12M research study into management actions endorsed by all key agencies.
Fisheries and Aquaculture Management
Managed key Victorian commercial and recreational fisheries and facilitated the development of seaweed aquaculture in Victoria, underpinned by a cross-government legislative and management review.
Marine Protected Area Review
Led an independent review of Victoria’s Marine Protected Area performance, coordinating expert and stakeholder panels and producing three public reports with recommendations tabled in Parliament.
Victorian Coastal Award for Planning and Management (2018)
Recognised for resolving a contested fisheries resource conflict, achieving a balanced and socially accepted outcome.
I’d love to hear about your project or explore opportunities to work together — please feel free to get in touch.
Jo Klemke Consulting 