Enric Sala

Sala’s professional career as a biologist and environmentalist has led him to work at some of the most prestigious institutions in his field, such as the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in California or Spain’s National Research Council (CSIC). But the turning point in this path came when he joined National Geographic's Young Explorers programme.

With the support of the National Geographic Society, he started a project which has become one of the organisation’s key initiatives – Pristine Seas. The idea for this project came about in 2008 with the aim to identify and plan the restoration of the ocean’s last truly wild places. To date, Pristine Seas has helped create 22 marine reserves – covering a 5.8m km2 area.

His scientific commitment and hard work were recognised when National Geographic made him Explorer-in-Residence in 2011, an exclusive programme made up of just 15 people worldwide, Sala being the first Spaniard to be admitted. This puts him in a position where he can investigate anything he considers interesting.

Incidentally, his work has earned him many recognitions including 2008 Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in Davos, The Explorers’ Club Lowell Thomas Award and the Environmental Media Association Award. Enric Sala is also a member of the Royal Geographical Society.