Oceana | Protecting the World's Oceans

Logistics Officer, Organizational Services

Based in: Washington, DC, USA

The result of my mother's migratory route towards the centre of the Iberian Peninsula – she’s from the South – and my father’s subsequent nuptial stopover – with his modest albeit shiny post-war uniform – was my appearance on earth, this past century on August 12.

Once in the world, it was not too difficult to realise that things were not functioning as well as they should. Off the distant coast – during my adolescence, Madrid was eight long hours away in a slow SEAT – it was common to come out of the water with your feet dirtied by fuel oil after a short swim, sometimes amongst floating plastics.

I became interested in nature and zoology while reminiscing about those days in the Mare Nostrum until, almost imperceptibly, the pieces started to fit together. I wanted to defend that far away sea that also belonged to me.

Far from improving, our oceans’ situation is quickly worsening. Environmental catastrophes such as the Prestige ordeal, the constant dumping of toxic waste that inevitably contaminates our rivers and seas, illegal fishing or the fact that a large number of marine and land species are in danger of extinction – to name only a few examples - can never leave one indifferent.

I studied Biology, although I am mostly self-taught. During the past ten years, I have collaborated with various ecologist or nature groups and I have given lectures about cetaceans and the marine environment through the Sociedad de Historia Natural del Mar (The Marine Natural History Society), which I founded.

Now, Oceana has given me the opportunity – and the honour – of dedicating my life to researching and protecting the oceans. My co-workers’ experience and professionalism is a source of knowledge and an valuable stimulus for anyone who, like me, believes there is still much to do and learn. Without a doubt, Oceana is and will always be a fundamental part of the future of our oceans.

Through my work aboard the Oceana Ranger research catamaran, I hope to contribute the necessary effort to ensure the safety of the oceans, the place where life originated.