I am originally from Barcelona but grew up in Costa Rica and Argentina. Later, I returned to Barcelona to complete a bachelor's degree in Environmental Sciences. After that, I moved to Australia, where I earned a master's degree in Marine Biology and worked at the university as well as a Dive Master. Before coming to Mallorca, I worked in Thailand as a Dive Instructor. Once the season ended, I decided to spend the summer of 2018 working at a small dive shop in Cala Bona. I fell in love with the island, and by the end of that season, together with two colleagues, we bought the dive center where we had been working.

‍

I am fortunate to have been born into a family of sea lovers! As a two-month-old baby, my parents would take me out to sea for swims—or floats—and I have always been closely connected to the ocean. My best childhood memories always involve the beach and the sea, and being away from it affects my mood. I started snorkelling at a very young age. As soon as I could wear a mask and snorkel, my head was already underwater. At 12, I began freediving with my dad, and at 21, I did my first scuba dive. I haven’t stopped diving since.

‍

I had the chance to work with many different research groups. Besides the ones you mentioned, I also worked on projects related to fish behavior, coral spawning, and interactions between various organisms on the reefs. Currently, I’m working on a project on the island focused on Posidonia oceanica—a completely different species from those I’ve studied before. If I had to choose one area, I would definitely lean towards corals or Posidonia oceanica. I believe this preference comes from the connection you develop with the organisms you study. These projects often span long periods, giving you the opportunity to observe each one grow and evolve over time. In a strange way, this process fosters a bond with them.

Another reason for my choice is that both these organisms are considered fundamental "building blocks" of their ecosystems. For instance, Posidonia oceanica plays a vital role in creating the Mediterranean's crystal-clear waters. It serves as a nursery for over 1,500 species and produces five times more oxygen per hectare than an equivalent area of the Amazon rainforest. Additionally, it is crucial for capturing excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, making it a key ally in mitigating climate change.

While living in Australia, I was based right in front of the Great Barrier Reef. For two years, I worked on a liveaboard—a type of boat where you stay at sea for several days. We explored places no one had been to before and dived at sites no other humans had seen. Each site was unique, and they all hold a special place in my heart, but one of the most exciting spots was the wreck of the RMS Quetta. This site holds a particularly close spot in my heart. The visibility is poor, you’re surrounded by large sharks and saltwater crocodiles, and you can only dive under very specific conditions—sometimes with just a 20-minute window of favorable conditions. Yet, every dive there was thrilling. We uncovered new sections of the wreck each time, piecing together its story bit by bit.

‍

Yes! I run a PADI 5 star dive center called Albatros Diving in Cala Bona. It was originally established in 1998, and my two colleagues and I took it over at the end of 2018. When we bought the center, we had a clear vision of what we wanted it to become: a place where people could reconnect with the sea, a platform to bring science closer to the public, and a hub for promoting conservation and preservation of the environment. We also wanted to showcase the incredible marine life the Mediterranean holds beneath its surface!  We offer a wide range of activities suitable for all ages and preferences. These include the full range of PADI diving courses, from the entry-level Open Water Diver certification to the Dive Master course, the first professional level in scuba diving. For certified divers, we organise daily boat trips to over 25 incredible dive sites along the East Coast. If you’re new to diving, you can experience your first breath underwater and begin your journey into the underwater world. For those who prefer to stay closer to the surface, we offer guided snorkelling trips every afternoon. Additionally, we run excursions to the Pirate Cave, one of Mallorca’s hidden gems. Here, you can marvel at stunning stalactites and stalagmites forming columns over 25 meters high and witness the evidence of the Mediterranean’s changing sea levels throughout history.

‍

I’ve had the opportunity to dive all around the island, but my heart belongs to the East coast! Not because my dive center is there but because the underwater scenery is breathtaking and full of marine life. Curious octopuses eager to interact during dives, schools of barracudas, sting rays both pregnant females and juveniles), morey eels, pipe fish, nudibranchs, and the list goes on! You never know what you will be able to encounter during a dive. One of the most incredible experiences I’ve had in our waters occurred in 2022, when we helped free a humpback whale that had become entangled in an illegal drift net right outside our dive center.

‍

As a child, I grew up in an environment that broke all stereotypes. My mom was the boss, both at home and at work. She was bold enough to move to Costa Rica with a 4-year-old and start her own production company in an industry where women were a minority. She worked hard and became a leader in the Latin American filmmaking industry. I believed this was the norm—men and women working side by side, having the same opportunities, and gender never being an issue. But as I grew older, I saw the other side of the coin. Unfortunately, the maritime industry is a male-dominated sector, with women making up only about 2% of the workforce. In 2021, through a strange twist of fate, I crossed paths (virtually) with George, Elle, and Kate. Together, we shared a belief in closing the gender gap in the maritime industry and creating opportunities for women worldwide who aspired to pursue careers in this field. This shared vision led us to found Daughters of the Deep. Through our nonprofit, we aim to raise awareness about gender inequality still present in ocean-related careers. We build partnerships with organizations around the world and raise funds to help women access the tools they need to pursue careers in the ocean, whether as dive instructors, captains, marine educators, whale-watching guides, or whatever they want. We believe that by breaking down these barriers, future generations will have role models to look up to and know that they can be anything they dream of.

In 2022, after noticing the low female participation in the MARE photography contest, we organized an all-female event in collaboration with MARE, Daughters of the Deep, and Albatros Diving. Inspired by the bonds and synergies formed during the event, Mire, Sara, and I established Dones de la Mar Balear, a community of Balearic women connected to the sea. Our mission is to empower local women to support one another in showcasing, growing, and developing their careers and passions related to the sea.

‍

That’s such a great question! I believe it’s because the origins of scuba diving trace back to the 1950s, when it emerged from the heavily male-dominated military sector. For many years, it remained this way, with the stereotype of the "macho diver." However, I’m really happy to see that this is changing! As a scientist, I can’t resist bringing some stats into the conversation: today, women represent 30% of recreational divers. I’m proud to say that at our dive center, we’re seeing more and more women joining us every day, and it’s exciting to witness this change!

‍

In my opinion, the winter season is the best time on the island! The weather is fantastic, and nature is so vibrant! I obviously can’t stay away from the water, but I must admit that the mountains become my go-to place in winter. I try to go for a long hike at least once a week. I wake up early, pack my bag with some quelys, sobrasada, and cheese, and head off for a 5-6 hour hike with my dog! One of my favorite hikes is the Bec de Farrutx—it’s not particularly hard or long, but it holds many special memories for me.

‍