Helen Holah is a Fisheries Data Analyst and Advisor in the Sea Fisheries Team at the Scottish Government’s Marine Directorate, where she leads the scientific development and delivery of Electronic Monitoring (REM) and vessel tracking programmes across Scottish fisheries. Her work includes multinational mandatory programmes for pelagic trawl and scallop dredge fleets, alongside research pilots supporting razor clam electrofisheries and shellfish pot fisheries.

Helen submitted her PhD at the University of Aberdeen in 2024. Her research examined fleet dynamics and fisher engagement during Scotland’s EM-verified cod quota management trials, with the aim of informing the future implementation of electronic monitoring within the Scottish demersal whitefish fleet.

Helen previously led a case study work package within the Horizon 2020 SMARTFISH research and innovation project, focusing on the application of machine vision and deep learning techniques for fisheries catch analysis. She currently serves as contract manager for externally commissioned research and development projects exploring the application of artificial intelligence and automated image analysis technologies to fisheries monitoring and catch verification.

Through Marine Directorate fisheries data collection programmes and the SMARTFISH project, she has developed extensive at-sea experience and has served as Chief Scientist on several research cruises, including voyages dedicated to the testing and development of electronic catch monitoring technologies.

Jeremy Crawford is a fisheries and seafood consultant with extensive experience supporting the design, implementation, and evaluation of fisheries improvement, monitoring, market-based certifications, and governance programs across the Indo-Pacific. His work includes advising governments, industry associations, NGOs, and seafood companies on fisheries transparency, compliance, data systems, and responsible sourcing. Jeremy has supported initiatives involving Electronic Monitoring (EM) & Electronic Reporting (ER), vessel accountability, traceability, and fisheries data verification, with particular expertise in tuna fisheries and complex seafood supply chains. He has worked with organizations including Integrated Monitoring (IM), Ocean Outcomes (O2), the Seafood and Fisheries Emerging Technologies Conference (SAFET), the International Pole & Line Foundation (IPNLF), Thai Union and other industry stakeholders across the Indo-Pacific region. Combining technical fisheries knowledge with practical implementation experience, he helps bridge the gap between emerging fisheries monitoring technologies, operational realities at sea, and the information needs of managers, regulators, and seafood markets.

Sharlene Chen is an international development consultant and researcher specialising in worker protection, human rights, and human trafficking linked to cyber-enabled crime and exploitative labour practices. Her work focuses on protecting vulnerable populations affected by forced labour, online scam operations, and unsafe migration pathways across Southeast Asia and beyond. Drawing from her background in international conflict and migration policy, she approaches migrant labour and human rights in distant water fisheries through a social and political lens. She is the Deputy Director of Humanity Research Consultancy (HRC).

Scott Aalbers grew up sampling the rich marine resources that Southern California has to offer. As a fisheries biologist with PIER, his research interests include fish reproductive biology, movement patterns, sustainable fishing gear development, and underwater acoustics.

Big Fin Scientific is a fisheries technology company. We’re passionate about minimizing costs and maximizing data availability of ecosystem assessments. Our software and systems are used by fishery managers, fish scientists and researchers of all types for Electronic Monitoring and to assess the health of fish populations rapidly and inexpensively. Our ultimate goal: help Humans make smarter decisions regarding our impact and use of the environment.

Gabby Lout is the Social Responsibility Senior Manager at Ocean Outcomes (O2). She oversees O2’s projects focused on advancing human rights due diligence in global supply chains, building capacity of workers, and applying electronic monitoring and Wi-Fi access on distant water fishing vessels. Gabby’s expertise has been shaped by her time spent on board vessels in high-risk contexts, building an understanding of the issues, challenges, and progress around improving conditions and protections for workers. Prior to joining O2, she completed a PhD at Arizona State University that focused on understanding the efficacy of voluntary approaches to address human and labor rights in global fisheries. She is a thought leader on many of the current approaches and tools being adopted to improve labor conditions in the seafood industry, and continues to promote increased worker engagement through innovative pilots and projects with her team and partners.