Bob Foster-Smith graduated as a zoologist in 1969 and obtained a PhD in 1973 at the Dove Marine Laboratory, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Bob has had a career in research in invertebrate physiology and ecology, specialising in recent years in marine ecological survey. He jointly established Envision Mapping and continues to seek ways of expanding the role that mapping and spatial ecological survey can be applied to coastal management issues. Bob has experience in applying community and habitat classification systems to mapping issues and has a broad knowledge of the survey techniques that have become part of the Envision capability.