Oceana | Protecting the World's Oceans

Marine Scientist, Science

Based in: Madrid, Spain

I’ve lived next to the sea for the past four years in Valencia and Miami, and have been studying and learning from it for over 10. My most special under-water experience was when I was approached by a couple of endangered Florida manatees while snorkelling on the west coast of that state where they congregate in winter months. These gentle, giant, and extremely curious mammals will come right up to you and look you in the eye. It saddened me to see so many speedboat propeller scars on their backs, and know that they are constantly threatened from so many angles.

Without voices of their own, these and so many other animals and the underwater habitats they call home, need people to stand up for their protection. The role our oceans have in the sustainability of our whole planet is often unknown or misunderstood. With Oceana I can directly help protect our oceans and ensure its future by drawing attention to the need for conservation and working towards strengthened ocean policies, for example those related to sharks and related elasmobranches within the European Community. Joining a group of people who feel as passionately as I do about protecting our oceans is an honor for me.