P.Y. Le Traon is the scientific director of Mercator Ocean International ocean prediction center.  His role is to ensure the scientific quality and prepare future evolutions of the ocean information offer of MOi and of the programmes managed by MOi for the European Commission (Copernicus Marine, Digital Twin Ocean).  P.Y. Le Traon is also in charge of the programme management of the Copernicus Marine Service. His areas of expertise include in-situ and satellite ocean observing systems, ocean modelling and forecasting and operational oceanography.  P.Y. Le Traon has been and is a member of the steering and advisory committees of several international programmes related to satellite and in-situ ocean observation, ocean prediction and applications.  

Dr Antonia Leroy, Head of Ocean Policy at WWF European Policy Office, leads the implementation of WWF’s objectives to secure healthy ocean ecosystems and sustainable fisheries at EU level. With a background in international Law, she is an expert on ocean governance with specific focus on fisheries, marine spatial planning, marine protected areas and offshore renewable issues.  

WWF European Policy Office is a member of several advisory councils and expert working groups concerning EU policy preparation, including the Market Advisory Council (MAC), the Member States Expert Group (MSEG) in Maritime Spatial Planning and the Marine Strategy Coordination Group. The mission of the WWF European Policy Office is to ensure that policies are adopted and implemented to sustainably manage and use our seas, as well as to secure the protection of marine wildlife and habitats for the benefit of people and nature.

Born and raised with a window on the Strait of Messina, Arianna followed her passion for the sea across the Channel, first at Bangor University (Wales, UK) and then with a master's degree in Marine Ecology and Conservation at the University of Plymouth (UK). She currently works as a freelancer for research, dissemination and conservation projects dedicated to involving and empowering citizens to act for marine conservation. Citizen science expert and chair of the Mediterranean Special Interest Group for the Marine Biological Association UK, she is scientific coordinator of OutBe, the start-up that connects sportsmen who experience the sea outdoors, with researchers who study and protect it.