Category Archives for "session"

Principal Investigator, Fisheries
Ecotrust Canada

Dr. Dyhia Belhabib is an expert on fisheries, maritime crime, and socially just conservation and enforcement. She is currently a Principal Investigator at Ecotrust Canada, working on illegal fishing where she founded Spyglass, the most comprehensive criminal record of fishing vessels in the world. She is also an Executive Director at Bel Investigations where she works on creating responsible solutions for crime-free supply chains.

Dyhia has developed a comprehensive curriculum on enhancing fair and effective enforcement at sea for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and works on building capacity in multiple jurisdictions around the world. Her research has investigated the links between conservation and illegal practices, industrial fisheries and artisanal fishing, and between development and governance in the sector. She has also advocated for decolonization and greater equity in ocean science, conservation, and development.

She is a leading expert on West African fisheries, with extensive knowledge of the region’s marine ecosystems and the challenges facing small-scale fishers. Her research has focused on the intersection of social justice, environmental sustainability, and economic development in the context of West African fisheries. She has collaborated with local communities and organizations to advocate for responsible fishing practices and build capacity in marine conservation and enforcement. Her deep knowledge of the region’s fisheries has helped her to identify the specific challenges facing small-scale fishers, such as access to credit, infrastructure, and market opportunities.

She is a TED speaker and serial TEDx speaker. Her work has been featured on the New York Times, The Guardian, Al Jazeera, CBC news, LePoint.fr, and a multitude of other news outlets. She is also a multiple times TED Speaker talking about decolonizing science, the conservation narrative, and how tech can advance safer and more sustainable oceans.

Dyhia obtained a PhD in Resource Management and Environmental Studies from the University of British Columbia in 2014 and has authored over 110 peer reviewed articles, book chapters, and reports.

Senior Inspector, International Cooperation Specialist
Korea Coast Guard

Jeana Kim joined Korea Coast Guard(KCG) in 2005, for having experience in working with foreign countries. Before she joined the KCG she worked as a starter member and Deputy Section Chief of the Novera Optics Korea, Inc., a US Company in Korea that was based in San Jose, CA.

After she joined the KCG, most of her career engages planning or innovative performance at Taean CG Station, Pyeongtaek CG Station, ect. She also worked as an instructor at the Korea Coast Guard Academy in her early career.

Her first international affairs career started in 2016, working for the Minister of Public Safety and Security, Seoul. In 2017, when the KCG became an independent agency under the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, she was transferred to the International Cooperation Division, KCG HQs. Since then, she engaged in many international affairs related to KCG, expanding her relationship with many CG countries around the world. She specialized in Police Investigation and also worked in the Criminal Affairs Division.

She is the only officer in KCG who graduated from the World Maritime University and is the first and only one in Korea who studied both at the World Maritime University in Sweden and the IMO International Maritime Law Institute in Malta.

Assistant Manager (Planning)
Marine Environment Protection Authority, Sri Lanka

Dinishiya Athukorala is a marine environment professional with 10 years of experience in environmental management, policy development, and strategic planning. She currently serves as Assistant Manager (Planning) at the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) in Sri Lanka. In this role, she has played a key part in shaping national policies and strategies related to SDG 14, National Biodiversity Targets (NBT), and the GEF-UNDP-IMO GloFouling Partnerships project. She also plays a central role in preparing institutional consent reports for Sri Lanka’s international commitments on coastal and marine environmental protection. Additionally, she served as the coordinator for the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) Advisory Mission in 2024, which focused on upgrading the country’s oil and chemical spill contingency plans.

Ms. Athukorala began her career with a training period at the Petroleum Resources Development Secretariat in 2015 before joining MEPA in 2016. Her research interests include strengthening marine biosecurity in Sri Lanka and conducting natural resource damage assessments for oil spills. She has also contributed to significant research in areas such as the Waste Reception Facility at Colombo Port, coral reef health assessments, and surveys on marine invasive species, macro debris, and port biological baseline studies.

Ms. Athukorala holds a Master of Science in Maritime Affairs, specializing in Ocean Sustainability Governance and Management, from the World Maritime University in Sweden. She also holds a Master’s in Environment Management from the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, and a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Fisheries and Marine Sciences, specializing in Oceanography and Marine Geology, from the University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka.

In addition to her professional work, she is an active member of several professional associations. She serves as the Treasurer of the Sri Lanka WMU-Sasakawa Alumni and is a life member of the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLAAS).

Global Ocean Director
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

Minna Epps is the Global Ocean Director of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, IUCN), leading the Union’s global ocean-related work, including programmatic development and delivery of multi-million dollar progammes dedicated to commissioning cutting edge marine scientific research (ocean acidification, deoxygenation and marine heatwaves and how it affects marine biodiversity and ocean health), implementing pioneering nature-based solutions, sustainable blue economy solutions and deploying innovative blended finance mechanisms in partnership with private investors and public funding. Global ocean policy work includes the Head of IUCN Delegations for various Multilateral Environmental Agreements and negotiations, including the recent High Seas BBNJ Treaty negotiation.

Minna champions equitable access and benefit-sharing, strengthens gender inclusion in ocean policy and empowers communities through nature-based solutions. Her expertise in strategic leadership, policy influence, and innovative partnerships makes her a driving force in shaping the future of ocean conservation.

She is the Chair for the Blue Natural Capital funding facility executive committee, the Blue Carbon Accelerator Fund, and Chair of the IMPAC International Steering Committee, as well as serving as a strategic advisor to the Blue Action Fund, and appointed advisor to the impact committee of HSH Prince Albert II ReFundOcean together with Monaco Asset Management. She represents IUCN in several high level Ocean networks, including the High Level Panel on Sustainable Ocean Economy advisory network, and is a WEF Friends of Ocean Action Leader.

She brings her experience from IUCN, Marine Stewardship Council, European Commission, United Nations Environment programme, World Trade organisation, and marine conservation NGOs. Minna is a marine biologist with studies from Imperial College, Rhode Island School of Oceanography and UC Berkeley.

CEO and Founder
Ocean Sustainability Club

Capt. Mohammad Feroz Mostafa is a pioneering maritime leader and educator dedicated to fostering sustainability and gender equality in the blue economy. As CEO and Founder of Ocean Sustainability Club, he has been instrumental in empowering the next generation of seafarers by advocating for inclusive, sustainable ocean governance. Established in 2018 at Bangladesh Marine Academy, the club actively promotes awareness, education, and action on marine conservation, gender equality, and environmental responsibility.

With over 30 years of experience spanning maritime operations, academia, and policy development, Capt. Mostafa currently serves as Chief of Nautical Studies at Bangladesh Marine Academy, where he has played a key role in advancing training programs that encourage diversity and inclusion within the maritime sector.
He has also published extensively on maritime sustainability and presented at global conferences. Recognized for his contributions, he has received multiple awards, including the Best Instructor Award and a National Integrity Strategy Practice award. Through his leadership at Ocean Sustainability Club and Bangladesh Marine Academy, he continues to drive impactful initiatives that support a more inclusive and sustainable blue economy.

Instructor at the Maritime Human Factors Unit
Chalmers University

Fredrik Forsmanis working with and developing leadership training for people in high-risk occupations as in the maritime, military, and maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) domain. Fredrik has researched how small teams succeed under adverse conditions in SAR. Today, he is responsible for the leadership training at Chalmers University of Technology for the maritime programs and teaching strategy and organizing at master level. Fredrik has a practical background in the military and maritime SAR.

Professor
Brazilian Naval War College

Dr. Thauan Santos holds a degree in economics from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and a post-doctorate in blue economy from the Center for the Blue Economy, USA (CBE/MIIS) and in economics from the Università di Bologna, Italy (DSE/UniBo). He is a professor in the Postgraduate Program in Maritime Studies at the Naval War College (PPGEM/EGN) and coordinator of the Blue Economy Group (GEM).

Trustee and Founder
I Exist Too Charity

Gustavo’s academic journey is distinguished by a strong focus on social, public, and strategic management. He holds multiple master’s degrees, including Sociology and Social Research from Newcastle University (UK), Public Administration from Cornell University (USA), and both Business Administration and Business Logistics from Universidad Interamericana de Panamá. Additionally, he holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial and systems engineering.

With extensive experience across the maritime, public administration, and education sectors, Gustavo has made significant contributions to national development through key roles at institutions such as the Panama Maritime Authority and the International Maritime University of Panama.

Currently, he is pursuing a Ph.D. at Newcastle University, focusing on LGBTQ+ inclusion in the maritime sector. Beyond academia, Gustavo is the Founder and Trustee of I Exist Too, the world’s first charity dedicated to advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion in the maritime industry.

Senior Lecturer
St. Andrew’s University

Dr Ifesinachi Okafor-Yarwood is a leadership, security and development scholar and practitioner specialising in maritime security, marine socio-ecology, and the blue economy. As a Lecturer in Sustainable Futures at the University of St Andrews, her work integrates academic rigour with practical experience to address critical challenges at the intersection of environmental stewardship, maritime safety, security, and socio-economic development.

Her research explores the geopolitical dynamics of the blue economy, maritime security governance, digital technologies in Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), and the integration of gender perspectives into maritime peace and security frameworks. Since 2023, Dr Okafor-Yarwood has served as the Women, Peace, and (Maritime) Security Advisor (West Africa) for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Global Maritime Crime Programme. She has briefed the UN Peacebuilding Commission on maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea and contributed to international reports on gender and maritime security, fisheries and the blue economy.

As a dedicated educator and mentor, Dr. Okafor-Yarwood fosters the next generation of leaders through interdisciplinary teaching that bridges theory and practice. Her passion for knowledge sharing extends to her role as the host of the African Geopardy Podcast, a platform amplifying diverse perspectives on Africa’s geopolitical, environmental, and security challenges.

A PEW Marine Fellow (2023–2026), Dr Okafor-Yarwood is advancing research on marine social ecology in Africa. Her project centers on equitable resource management, emphasising the value of local and Indigenous knowledge to promote sustainable fisheries livelihoods.

Through her scholarship, advisory roles, and public engagement, Dr Okafor-Yarwood actively contributes to global conversations on inclusive and sustainable maritime governance and security, driving meaningful change within academic, policy, and practitioner communities.

Professor Anna Petrig holds the Chair of International Law and Public Law at the University of Basel in Switzerland. She was previously a professor at the University of Zurich in Switzerland. Anna has been awarded a Ph.D. in the field of the Law of the Sea and Human Rights Law from the University of Basel and an LL.M. from Harvard Law School, where she studied as a Fulbright scholar. Anna is a member of the Bar of the Canton of Berne (Switzerland) and of the New York State Bar (USA). Her broad legal experience includes work in private practice, the courts, and the Legal Division of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Her articles and book chapters cover a wide range of ocean-related topics and she is the author of several monographs and textbooks on the Law of the Sea, International Public Law and Criminal Law. She has presented her research at institutions across Europe, North America, Asia and Australia.

Anna has provided expert advice, oral evidence and legal counsel on maritime-related matters to the Swiss Government, the UK House of Lords, NGOs and international organisations, notably on the use of private security on board ships, the protection of underwater cultural heritage, arms trade at sea and human rights at sea. She has been a member of the Swiss delegation and the Delegation of the Comité Maritime International (CMI) to the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Anna was sitting as Judge ad hoc for Switzerland on the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in Cases 27 and 29. Since November 2024 she is a Member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) nominated by Switzerland. She currently acts as a board member of the Swiss Maritime Law Association and the Swiss Society for International Law. Anna is Co-Rapporteur of the Committee on Protection of People at Sea of the International Law Association (ILA) and is Chair of the EU-fundend COST Action BlueRights (Life, Liberty and Health: Ensuring Universal Protection of Human Rights at Sea).