The Environmental and Economic Benefits of Protecting the Sea

On 7 November, Club Ultima Hora–Valores and Marilles Foundation organised a lecture, How to Revive the Sea, at the Rívoli Aficine Cinema. It was delivered by Enric Sala, PhD in Ecology and Executive Director of National Geographic Pristine Seas. Before Sala’s talk, David Attenborough’s documentary Ocean was screened. Following the lecture, a discussion took place between Sala and marine biologist Manu San Félix, moderated by Sandra Espeja.

Enric Sala was born in Girona in 1968. He obtained a degree in Biology from the University of Barcelona (Spain) and a PhD in Ecology from the University of Aix-Marseille (France). He initially worked as a university lecturer and was employed by prestigious scientific institutions, including the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC). In 2008, he decided to leave academia to devote himself full-time to conservation, joining National Geographic as a resident explorer. This is the organisation’s highest category of research and exploration, and Sala was the first Spaniard to be admitted.

Sala is the founder and leader of National Geographic’s Pristine Seas project. This initiative seeks to identify, explore, and protect the last truly wild and pristine places in the ocean. Through this project, Sala has contributed to the creation of numerous marine protected areas, covering millions of square kilometres. His work with Pristine Seas has been fundamental in demonstrating that well-managed marine reserves not only restore biodiversity but can also generate economic benefits through dive tourism. His commitment and scientific work have been widely recognised. Named a Young Global Leader at the World Economic Forum in Davos (2008), Sala has received numerous awards for his dedication and service to the oceans including the Lowell Thomas Award from the Explorers Club (2013), the Heinz Award in Public Policy (2018), the National Geographic Hubbard Medal (2021), and the Grand Medal of Prince Albert I (2021). He is also a member of the Royal Geographical Society.

Sala is an influential voice in marine conservation, advocating for the protection of marine ecosystems and demonstrating how nature can recover spectacularly when given the chance. He has taken part in films such as The Sharks of Pitcairn Islands and Before the Flood and is the author of Pristine Seas: Journeys to the Ocean’s Last Wild Places.