The marine biologist Manu San Félix has been in charge of giving the inaugural lecture of the academic year 2025-2026 at the Gandia Campus. Under the title “From Formentera to National Geographic”, San Felix has explained his work as a marine explorer of National Geographic and invited reflection and the protection of seas and oceans.
The Aula Magna was filled with the audience to listen to the marine biologist, explorer and disseminatorator of National Geographic Manu San Felix. For more than thirty years he has been dedicated to the conservation of the Mediterranean, a sea that he considers “his home” since he settled in Formentera, and from there he promotes projects to protect the Posidonia oceanica. The company also promotes the creation of marine protected areas, an essential plant for the health of the marine ecosystem, and promotes the creation of marine protected areas.
San Félix is founder of the Vellmarí association and creator of the Posidonia Maps application, which seeks to reduce the impact of anchoring on these millenary meadows. He also leads the Mediterranean Reserve 30 initiative, which aims to protect 30% of the sea by 2030.
As an explorer of National Geographic is involved in the Pristine Seas project, which has contributed to the creation of marine reserves in more than five million square kilometers of oceans. In addition, his documentary Let’s save our Mediterranean warns about the serious degradation of the Spanish coast and proposes sustainable solutions.
Diver reminds that more than 90% of the ocean’s surface remains unknown
Critical of the failure to comply with international marine protection commitments, Manu San Felix reminds us that “protecting the sea benefits us all” and encourages new generations to get involved in the defense of the oceans.
The expert pointed out that about 95% of the ocean surface is still unknown, so he does not understand why more resources are allocated to space exploration than to research on the seas.
Manu San Félix also stressed that water is “the beginning of everything” and that, despite having it within our reach, we are still determined to look outwards.
Although he has dived on five continents, his passion for the Mediterranean Sea is inexhaustible. For him, diving in the waters of Formentera is a privilege that he hopes to enjoy as long as his body allows it.
Photographs: Àlex Oltra