Gwendal Le Fol is a highly skilled translator and fisheries consultant, and the proud owner of Ocean Environment, a California-based certified small business dedicated to supporting fisheries managers, policy makers, and researchers worldwide in achieving their communication goals. With a focus on backstopping international projects, Gwendal excels in translating a wide range of bilingual documents, including reports, training manuals, certification standards, meeting minutes, among others.

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Gwendal holds a Masters (MAS) in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation (2016) from Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, California, a Masters (MSc) in Coastal Management (2007) from the European Institute for Marine Studies in Brest, France, and Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Marine Sciences (2005) as well as a Bachelor (BSc) in Marine Sciences (2003) from Plymouth University in the UK.

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His maritime journey began in 2008 when Gwendal, a bilingual individual with a deep passion for the ocean, embarked on a scientific observer deployment on a purse seiner targeting bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean Sea. This experience sparked his keen interest in fisheries, leading him to carry out missions on multiple vessels across Europe and Africa until 2012. Subsequently, Gwendal joined a reputable fisheries consultancy in Paris, France, where he served as a bilingual Projects Officer. In this role, he played a key part in coordinating the ICCAT Bluefin Tuna Regional Observer Program (BFT-ROP) and supporting the evaluation of Protocols to the Fisheries Partnership Agreements with Countries Outside the EU. Additionally, he actively bid on and assisted with backstopping fisheries development projects in Africa, the Caribbean, and Pacific islands.

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In 2013, Gwendal established his freelance business in Paris, providing specialized translation services to a valued network of consultants, consulting firms, RFMOs, NGOs, and other businesses. He continued to expand his expertise, receiving Sustainable Eel Standard assessor training in 2015 and contributing to the coordination of the ICCAT Bluefin Tuna Regional Observer Program through 2016.

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In pursuit of further knowledge, Gwendal moved to San Diego, California, in 2015, earning a Master's degree in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation from Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO). He also obtained certifications as a Scientific Scuba Diver accredited by AAUS, NAUI, and SIO. In 2016, Gwendal established his freelance business in San Diego, engaging in various research and translation projects, contributing to peer-reviewed publications and collaborating with esteemed organizations. In 2017, he worked with the Southwest Fisheries Science Center (NOAA) on  a study of how climate change is impacting United States West Coast fishing communities, worked as a freelance translator in the field of oil & gas for AES Marine Consultants, and was placed on the consultant roster to participate in evaluations of the Protocols to the Fisheries Partnership Agreements with Countries Outside the EU.

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Between 2017 and 2019, in addition to engaging in research and translation activities, Gwendal was hired by Daybreak Game Company as Localization Specialist, which provided him with valuable experience in the field of translation, localization, project management, IT, quality assurance, and online media.

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Between 2020 and 2022, in parallel with his growing freelance translation activity, Gwendal was contracted by the University of California Santa Cruz, joining the Future Seas research group, focusing on socio-economic considerations pertaining to swordfish, albacore tuna and Pacific sardine fisheries in the face of climate change, co-authoring two peer-reviewed publications:

• Projecting climate change impacts from physics to fisheries: A view from three California Current fisheries (link)

• Changes to the structure and function of an albacore fishery reveal shifting social-ecological realities for Pacific Northwest fishermen (link)

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Between 2021 and 2023, Gwendal was contracted by the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division of the Food and Agriculture Administration (FAO) of the United Nations, and included as a chair-appointed member in the Working Group on Social Indicators (WGSOCIAL) of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) to conduct a scoping review on the use of socio-economic indicators to monitor and report on progress towards fisheries sustainability, to be published as an FAO Circular in 2023.

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Between 2022 and 2023, Gwendal also took on the role of Translator and Content Creator with StudySmarter, a german e-learning startup.

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Throughout his journey, Gwendal has remained steadfast in his dedication to providing top-notch service and exceeding client expectations. He takes pride in offering a flexible, timely, and reliable international reach, complemented by his expertise in proofreading and technical inputs. Gwendal's growing portfolio of translation clients attests to his commitment to continuously strengthen and expand his business, while always valuing client satisfaction above all.

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