Farewell to Rémi Parmentier, a key figure in international marine conservation

This June, the world of marine conservation lost one of its most tireless advocates. The death of Rémi Parmentier leaves a void that will be difficult to fill. He remained active until the very end. Just a few weeks ago, Rémi played an active role in the Ocean Conference held in Nice, where we had the opportunity to accompany him in his Let's Be Nice to the Ocean campaign.

Rémi was one of the most influential figures in international environmentalism  and a staunch defender of the oceans for more than five decades. He co-founded Greenpeace, was a crew member of the Rainbow Warrior, and promoted historic campaigns in defence of whales and against radioactive dumping at sea. His career has left an indelible mark on the global environmental movement, combining direct action with a rare strategic ability in international negotiations.

A career with global impact

Born in Paris in 1957, Rémi Parmentier developed a career that combined direct activism with environmental diplomacy. One of the main drivers of the moratorium on whaling in the high seas, he also participated in key negotiations on marine pollution and climate change and worked with governments, international organisations, and foundations such as Marilles, bringing strategic vision to marine conservation and ocean policy initiatives.

Rémi understood better than most the need to build bridges between civil society, science, and institutions. His approach, defined by Greenpeace as “political judo”, enabled progress to be made on international regulations and agreements that are still in force today.

At Marilles Foundation, we recognise the value of his legacy at a time when the protection of the Mediterranean Sea and the fight against climate change require courageous, committed, and rigorous voices such as his.

A reference point for the present and the future

The figure of Rémi Parmentier will continue to be an inspiration for those of us who work for the health of the seas. His strategic vision, his ability to mobilise, and his determination to influence global decisions are benchmarks for environmental action in the Balearic Islands and beyond.