Get to know our 2024 fishing fleet survey team

The 2024 fishing fleet survey is now live, with field researchers travelling across the UK to speak to commercial fishing vessel owners. The annual fleet survey is a major piece of research, but it’s also an opportunity for researchers to talk to skippers around the country, listen to their experiences and learn about the challenges in the sector. 

Fleet Survey researchers are our eyes and ears in the field and the friendly faces you’ll be meeting during this summer. To keep track of their travels and find out when they’ll be in your area, head over to our Fleet Survey page.

In the meantime, get to know our 2024 researchers! 

Zachary Wong  

Tell us a bit about yourself 

I come from a marine science background having studied both Marine Biology and Marine Environmental Management at the University of Exeter. My studies focussed on marine management including marine protected areas, fisheries and conservation. I have experience working on tropical marine conservation projects in locations including Honduras, Seychelles and the Maldives. Most recently, I was a scientific officer for a community-based coral restoration project in the Maldives.  

What do you like to do for fun? 

I play a variety of sports. I mostly play tennis at my local club, and I also teach kids the sport. Other sports I do include basketball, mountain biking, hockey and surfing.  

What are you looking forward to the most while working as a fleet researcher? 

From my studies and experiences, I grew an interest in learning about people linked with the ocean.  

I am really excited to be a Fleet Survey Researcher as it is a great opportunity for me to engage with skippers and vessel owners to understand the UK fisheries sector. I am eager to visit different ports across the country and meet these fishers to learn about their specific fisheries.  

Emma Kearns 

Tell us a bit about yourself 

I spent most of my childhood along the coast of Northern Ireland, where I grew to love and appreciate the marine environment. This passion for marine life drove me to carry out a BSc in Marine Biology, where I focused most of my independent research on the UK fishing industry and took time out of my studying to volunteer at the Bridlington Lobster hatchery.  

I then pursued an MSc in International Marine Environmental Consulting at Newcastle University and focused on using non-invasive methods to identify the Size of Maturity and fecundity of European Lobsters to assist NIFCA and St. Abbs Marine Station in identifying differences in regional populations. Throughout my studies, I have always enjoyed meeting new people within the industry and learning more about different fishing practices and regional fisheries management. 

What do you like to do for fun? 

I enjoy hiking and camping, with most of my free time spent in the lake and peak district. I am also a keen SCUBA diver, so I often take advantage of the local diving facilities when visiting new places.  

What are you looking forward to the most while working as a fleet researcher? 

I’m most looking forward to visiting new fishing ports around the UK and meeting new people in the fishing Industry. I believe that participating in the Fleet survey will provide me with a great opportunity to learn more about regional fishing practices, and challenges, along with changes fishers and vessel owners face due to fisheries management, MPA designation, and offshore wind development. 

Ellie Green

Tell us a bit about yourself 

I grew up in Falmouth, Cornwall, and am currently living there again after moving around for university and work. I have a masters in Environment and Development from the University of Edinburgh where I conducted my dissertation research on community-based natural resource management for marine areas. I'm particularly interested in the marine environment and am really excited to learn more about the fishing industry in the UK during my time with Seafish. 

What do you like to do for fun? 

I spend as much of my time as possible in or around the sea. I'm a sea swimmer, a beginner surfer and hoping to get back into diving soon. I'm also an avid reader of fantasy and science fiction. I also knit when I’m watching TV to keep my hands busy and am hoping to try to make a traditional gansey using an old Cornish pattern as my next project.   

What are you looking forward to the most while working as a fleet researcher? 

I’m looking forward to travelling to lots of areas of the UK that I might not otherwise have visited and speaking to people about their work. 

Badis Khiari 

Tell us a bit about yourself 

I am a Spanish Tunisian recent graduate from UCL. I speak English, Spanish, and French, and I am enamoured by all things marine, from enjoying seafood to researching coastal ecosystems. I came to the UK in 2018 to do my undergraduate BSc in Geography, Geocomputation, and Spatial Analysis at King’s College London. At King’s, I chose to investigate how the distance to desalination plants affects the health of mangrove forests in the United Arab Emirates’ Gulf coast.  

After graduating, I did my first MSc degree, in Ecological Applications, at Imperial College. For my dissertation, I analysed spatial variation in sedimentary microbes associated with carbon sequestration in Plymouth’s seagrass meadows. Most recently, I finished my second MSc, from University College London. During my Biodiversity and Global Change degree, I focused my dissertation on national scale GIS analysis of the effectiveness of mangrove restoration projects across the Philippine. Through my studies, I’ve planned and executed fieldwork in the UK, UAE, Spain, and Morocco across deserts, valleys, beaches, forests, mountains, and at sea.  

What do you like to do for fun? 

In my spare time I cherish being around loved ones and exploring the outdoors. I’m passionate about cooking and experimenting in the kitchen with new ingredients and techniques. When I’m in nature, you’ll find me hiking, birdwatching, photographing wildlife, scuba diving, and windsurfing. I let my creative side loose by writing and performing poetry! Finally, I also love playing videogames, particularly historical, strategic, and/or simulation games like Civilization and Assassins Creed. 

What are you looking forward to the most while working as a fleet researcher? 

I am delighted to join as a Survey Fleet Researcher this summer! Discovering the UK’s coastlines and ports is largely motivating as I am an eager traveller and geographer. However most exciting, is the opportunity to connect with new people and communities. I am passionate about chatting with individuals to debate and discuss varying perspectives and information. As a keen bean learner, I look forward to absorbing as much insight into the industry as possible. Coming from an ecology background, I am thrilled to gain a deeper understanding of the crucial human communities reliant on our seas. Gaining this imperative social experience adds to my devotion of marine ecosystems, preparing me to contribute to holistically solving the interdisciplinary challenges facing our planet.  

Lily Copping 

Tell us a bit about yourself 

Growing up on the west coast of Scotland, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to spend my early childhood exploring endless rockpools and beautiful beaches. This experience inspired me to work on private yachts worldwide for several years before pursuing a degree in Marine Biology. I moved to Northern Germany to study for a master's in Environmental Management while working as a researcher in marine microplastics. 

Following that, I decided to return to life on the water, working as a Scientific Fisheries Observer for the Falkland Islands Government. This job involved spending a month at a time on commercial fishing trawlers collecting biological and environmental data for stock assessments. I also worked in environmental policy, where I contributed to the development of pollution and waste mitigation strategies for the Falklands. 

I have only recently moved back to the UK, and I am excited to be visiting ports and harbours and immersing myself in the fisheries industry at home. 

What do you like to do for fun? 

I really enjoy surfing (even though I’m not very good!), kayaking, diving, sailing and wakeboarding. I also love to go wandering in the mountains and enjoy exploring new places. I’m also passionate about cooking, especially seafood, so I will no doubt be sampling a lot of the local produce when on the road this summer. 

What are you looking forward to the most while working as a fleet researcher? 

I’m looking forward to gaining first-hand experience with the UK fishing sector by interacting with those who know it best. Understanding more about different fishing techniques and learning about the main challenges faced by the industry will also be very interesting. 

We hope you’ll join us in welcoming our 2024 Fleet Survey team, and look out for them, coming to your port soon! 

Take part in the fleet survey 

If you have any questions about the survey or you would like to take part in the 2024 Fishing Fleet Survey, please contact the team on fleet.survey@seafish.co.uk or call 07966 764150. 

To keep track of their travels and find out when they’ll be in your area, head over to our Fleet Survey page.