The Associació Cetàcea is composed by a team which considers of a great importance the welfare of the animals that inhabit the Catalan coast, their conservation and the preservation of the habitats where they live. It is an interdisciplinary group, with different training and formation and great knowledge and background on the marine conservation and protection.

 

Montse Valls

Psychologist and ethologist. I have loved marine fauna since I was a kid. I grew up learning to enjoy the sea by snorkelling in the Costa Brava, by watching Thalassa and admiring Jacques Cousteau. I confirmed my passion volunteering in rehabilitation centres of marine fauna and taking part in diving courses and other activities that kept me in contact with the conservation and rescue of marine species. I currently am participating in research on animal behaviour. I also expect to apply all my knowledge in helping Cetàcea on researching the behaviour of marine mammals.

 

Oriol Giralt Paradell

My fascination and admiration for the sea and all the creatures that inhabit it, drove me to pursue a bachelor degree in biology with a specialization in the zoology-ecology branch and later a masters degree in marine biology. After finishing the degree I have been expanding my knowledge by working on the rescue and rehabilitation of marine animals in Catalunya, taking part in photo-ID projects of dolphins and whales on Maui, Hawaii, and taking part in courses about conservation, rescue and biology of marine species. I also am an Open Water Diver, which has allowed me to study and admire many marine habitats and species. Now, the Associacio Cetàcea gives me the opportunity to combine both my knowledge and my background with my passion for the sea. I invite you to join us in this adventure.

 

Barbara Roldán

I work in the field of communications, and since many years I combine my job with the participation in environmental projects. Lover both of sea and mountains, I believe that human activities are having an unsustainable impact in nature; and we need to do somethig if we want to continue enjoying it. That’s why I think that there’s a very important task of raising awarness, one of my main task in the association.

 

Eva Rizo

I am a biologist, my passion has always been and still is the environment and all species inhabiting it. All the jobs I’ve had so far had some common aspects: the environmental awareness, protection and conservation. Throughout my life, especially as an educator, I’ve tried to raise awareness about the importance of the natural environment and the species that inhabit it, the threats that they face and how we can contribute to protect it, without depriving them of their liberty in order to protect them. Education and training are the key to understand that we all are part of a complicated and vulnerable system and, today more than ever, we should do everything to protect it.

For that reason, I would like to thank Associació Cetàcea its essential mission in the protection of the marine environment, and specially that I had been given the opportunity to contribute to its protection and to spread the word to those willing to listen.

 

Laura Almarcha

I was born in Barcelona and since I was a kid I wanted to become a veterinarian. My parents showed me, that among other wonderful values, the love for other animals. Thanks to that, I reached my goal and I am now a veterinarian specialised in domestic animals. I am passionate about the sea. I have done courses on scientific diving, veterinary clinic of marine mammals and on response to marine animal stranding. Although I am fascinate by all animals, I especially love cetaceans and I am committed to their protection and the environment they live in. Thus I became a volunteer in Associació Cetàcea. I am very interested in their photo-identification project, but also in their dedication to the protection of marine ecosystems. I have been fighting for a long time to close al dolphinaria, and I hope that my dream will come true soon.

 

Since I was a child I always liked to enjoy nature, accompanied by good companions with whom I share moments and adventures. I dream of the great naturalistic travelers of the past and would like to land on a deserted beach surrounded by coral reefs or accompany the long journey of a group of blue whales across the Atlantic. I studied geology and the small foraminifera. And what better than to have captain title, so that entities that deserve it can navigate with me.

 

 

Anna Conde

Passionate about the sea and the oceans and fascinated by the species that inhabit them. marine biologist, specialised in sustainability and management of marine ecosystems, sailor and boat skipper. A as a biologist on board a research vessel I’ve worked and joined different marine conservation, education and training projects. As a volunteer, I have been involved in a cetacean stranding rescue team in New Zealand and photo-identification projects in the Canary Islands.

I believe that it is indispensable to know and understand the marine species and their populations and how marine ecosystems work in order to raise awareness about their conservation and fight for a more sensitive society towards the conservation of the marine environment. Cetàcea carries out a very important task related to the marine protection and conservation and I feel very fortunate to be involved in their projects.

 

Ricard Marcos

My interest in the ocean comes from ornithology. The observation of marine birds such as sea gulls, terns or shearwaters led me to wonder about what else lives in the ocean. Searching for organisations or groups focusing their activities on the Catalan coast, I found Cetàcea and their projects about cetaceans interested me deeply. When the chance to collaborate in the photo-identification project arose, I didn’t hesitate even for a moment and I confirmed my attendance for the first meeting of volunteers.

 

Natàlia Fernández

Since I was a child, I pointed out ways and knew that my life would be dedicated to animals. Activist since I can remember my dream was to be a marine biologist specializing in cetaceans; But life complicated things to me and I chose to study another branch not related to the animals. Over the years I felt a void in my life and decided to combine my work with studies of large marine vertebrates and primates. I graduated as a veterinary assistant, environment educator and forest and marine interpreter and recently in master’s degree in primatology. Currently I am also a volunteer for a forest defense group.

Who knows me, knows too that my world is the ocean and the dense jungles, I’m always hanging on the branches or at the same time mounted on any boat. There I find peace, strength and illusion to protect the inhabitants of my beloved Earth. The Associació Cetàcea has given to me the opportunity to collaborate with them as a volunteer, it is amazing to be able to work with this team of people so good professionals and at the same time so great people.

 

Tània Garnica

Photography and technology enthusiast, nature lover and diver. I found on my dron my own synergy. All my chilhood has been linked to the sea, educated in its protection, I have grown up seeing the incessant deterioration of our coast. I am a diver in love with the marine fauna. I have always been involved in conservation projects and the environment. I am currently participating the cetacean photo-identification project, trying to discover a new aerial perspective and looking for how new technologies can help us in research and create a new way of environmental awareness.

 

Alba Martínez

Since I can remember, I have always felt a special connection with the sea. I grew up snorkeling in the Costa Brava with my father, while at home, I spent hours drawing whales and dolphins. I have been a diver since many years ago, and that has increased my interest in better knowing the ocean; although, professionally, I work in graphic design, marketing and industrial photography.
I knew about the Associació Cetàcea thanks to a good friend and diving buddy. After years of volunteering in other kind of entities, I wanted to make a change and get involved in a project related to the sea. Now, thanks to Associació Cetàcea, I have the opportunity to combine my two passions: communication and the sea.

 
Sílvia Juncà

When I was 4, my dad got me a diving mask… and since then I have never stopped exploring the seas. I am an engineer and as far as I remember I have always been worried about our planet’s health and the future of their inhabitants, both humans and non-humans. Naturalist by passion, I love observing nature and I like understanding how do ecosystems work. I consider myself an ecologist in every sense.

The first time I encountered wild cetaceans touched me deeply: I decided I wanted to learn more about these mammals, so different from us so similar in some way, which went back to the sea millions of years after the first vertebrate established on dry land. The oceans take up most of our planet’s area but they also keep the most unknown and unprotected habitats.

Associació Cetàcea has brought me the opportunity to collaborate with their photo-ID project, contributing to the better comprehension of the cetacean distribution in our region. The Mediterranean Sea is one of the world’s greatest tourist destinations, holding a unique biodiversity, but at the same time is one of the most threatened by human pressure. In order to protect it, knowledge and understanding are essential, and that’s why the task of associations such as Cetàcea is so important. I am greatly proud and grateful to be part of this wonderful team.