#MeetTheTeam: Erik Roscam Abbing

For our #MeetTheTeam series, this week we are introducing Erik Roscam Abbing. Erik co-developed together with the amazing Werner huysmans our application that plots whale data and vessel data on a map and let us verify how our members perform in whale sensitive areas. Their efforts have been recognized with a Blue Innovation Award in 2025 from De Blauwe Cluster.

Erik is a design and innovation strategist who, throughout his career, has helped countless organizations become as excited and courageous about user centered, meaningful innovation as he is. His role in the Whale Guardians team is innovation lead. In that role Erik coordinates the prioritization, roadmapping and actual development of the technologies that enable us to do our work for the whales and our partners. A good example is his work with Bogerd Martin and Dice Consulting on the data driven whale navigation app that is going live soon. 

Erik’s passion for whales likely stems from his roots in the Seattle Salish Sea. From his birth he has had a profound and spiritual bond with the ocean and everything on it and in it. His passion for sailing and being on the water in whatever form, has not only led to a few too many boats for him to maintain, but has also seeped into his work. As an entrepreneur, coach, innovator and teacher, he is involved in regional blue economy consulting, a start up in global water mobility development and in ocean conservation and regeneration. For Erik, water brings communities together, and lets nature thrive to support us in our deepest and most simple needs. 

Erik lives in Rotterdam with his dog, Doortje. His two kids study in Delft just like he did. You can find him crew rowing on the Rotte river, on his little motorsloop on the Rotterdam lakes, on his 1971 sailing vessel on bigger waters, or in his 1953 wooden watertaxi on the magical Bangkok canals.