Overview
Before joining Bangor University, I worked as a scientific diver & instructor in Indonesia, where I developed a deep appreciation for marine life and the need to protect it. That experience inspired me to pursue marine science academically, and in 2020 I began my MSci in Marine Biology and Oceanography at Bangor, graduating in 2024.
During my degree, I combined my love for the ocean with a growing interest in technology and data. My master’s research focused on SharkTrack — a machine learning model designed to identify and track sharks in underwater BRUV (baited remote underwater video) footage. Working on that project opened my eyes to the incredible potential of AI in marine conservation, and ultimately led me toward my current research in fisheries technology.
Outside of research, I’m happiest underwater or on the coast, and I love finding ways to blend my practical diving experience with innovative approaches to studying and protecting marine ecosystems.
Additional Contact Information
soph.wilday@bangor.ac.uk
Qualifications
- MSc: Marine Biology & Oceanography
2020–2024 - BSc: Marine Biology & Oceanography
2023
Research Interests
I’m part of the Fisheries Team at Bangor University, where I’m developing machine learning models to automatically detect, measure, and sex European lobsters and brown crabs from underwater camera footage. My work sits at the intersection of software engineering, artificial intelligence, and marine science — using technology to make fisheries monitoring more efficient, accurate, and accessible.
A big part of my role involves designing and building these intelligent systems from the ground up, from writing and training code to testing models in real-world marine environments. I also take part in at-sea data collection and shore-based surveys, working closely with our wider research team to gather and validate the information that powers our models. This combination of hands-on fieldwork and technical development is one of my favourite parts of the job.
My position is funded by the Welsh Government, and I’m always eager to explore new ways technology can support sustainable fisheries management. Whether it’s collaborating on innovative conservation tools or integrating new AI techniques into marine research, I love connecting with others who share an interest in applying tech for good!
Publications
2024
- PublishedSharkTrack: an accurate, generalisable software for streamlining shark and ray underwater video analysis
Varini, F., Gayford, J. H., Witt, M. J., Garzon, F., Ferretti, F., Wilday, S., Bond, M. E., Heithaus, M. R., Robinson, D., Carter, D., Gumbs, N., Webster, V. & Glocker, B., 30 Jul 2024.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
Activities
2025
- Seafood Innovation Conference
Held a workshop within the Seafood Innovation Conference 2025 to showcase the fisheries team in Bangor University. Specifically, European Lobster tagging was shown in poster format to discuss the site fidelity shown during telemetry research conducted by Harry Thatcher at Aberystwyth University. Also, the Brown Crab soft shell project looking into the hardness of shells and the possibility of applying a threshold to shell softness that can be utilized in the field for fisher and enforcement agency.
25 Feb 2025 – 26 Feb 2025
Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Participant)