Dr Blackwell is an applied economist with specialisations in ecological, environmental, natural resource (coastal, marine, fisheries, water, minerals and energy), and local, regional, rural and remote economic analysis and policy. He is currently with the Freshwater Environment Branch of NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development - Fisheries and Forestry. He has worked on a range of issues from shark control programs, marine estate management strategies, aquaculture regulations, and oyster reef, native fish and river ecosystem restoration. He helps the Department in its preparation of funding and regulatory proposals using social (& environmental) cost-benefit analysis and business cases. He currently also pursues economic research opportunities and is President of the Australia New Zealand Society for Ecological Economics. He enjoys outdoor recreation including open water swimming and fishing with his family.