There’s plenty of different people onboard an Oceana at-sea Expedition. From divers and marine biologists to deckhands, technicians and underwater photographers.

Silvia: Marine Scientist

'Being a part of Oceana allows me to become aware of the wide variety of threats that cause this accelerated loss of biodiversity and to be more conscious of what we can do to avoid it'.

Q. What does being a Marine Scientist for Oceana involve?

A. We work most of the year analyzing the data we collect during the expeditions onboard the Oceana Ranger, from samples of unidentified species to many hours of video footage and a large amount of photographs. It's a lot of work, but incredibly interesting so you can't complain!

Q. What do you think is the biggest threat facing our oceans today?

A. The lack of respect humans show towards this thing (oceans) that sustains us and gives us everything we need to live, nature itself, and the belief that the ocean's resources are inexhaustible and that garbage and pollution simply disappear, without worrying about the effects. Thankfully, we are starting to become more aware of these effects and are trying to find solutions.

Q. What was your goal when joining the Oceana Ranger 2011 expedition?

A. To learn as much as possible during this expedition about the areas to be explored, like the sea beds of Alboran, to be able to describe their biodiversity, determine their importance and collaborate as much as possible in their protection.

Q. What will you do after the end of this 2011 Oceana Ranger expedition?

A. I'll have to take some days off to relax and enjoy the sun, even after spending so many days at sea! And of course, to see my family and take a small trip with my friends to the south.

Q. Where in the world have you travelled with your work?

A. Greece, Morocco and Italy. I always try to take advantage and take a look around, even if it's just one afternoon, because we don't have much time off. During this year's expeditions, we've focused on Alboran and Portuguese waters, so we've been at port in Almerimar (Almeria), close to Cabo de Gata and in Portimao, in the Algarve (Portugal).

Q. What is your top ocean conservation tip?

A. I think the best thing is to imagine what we see under the water, on land, like a way of making people understand an environment that seems strange and far away. For example, the amount of garbage we find around some seamounts, if we can get people to imagine what that would be like around a mountain we have close to home, they would certainly not allow it. Or a garden of sea fans, so spectacular, if we found something like that on land, we would certainly protect it!

Jesus: Safety Diver

Q. Where was your first ever dive? How long have you been diving for?

A. Puerto Viejo, a small town on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, more than 11 years ago.

Q. What is your most memorable underwater experience?

A. During the Baltic campaign with OCEANA, diving under the ice, with water temperatures under -2º. Being in the middle of nowhere, in the frozen, greenish water, and the blocks of ice one on top of the other was an incredible experience.

Q. Where in the world would you like to dive next?

A. In the Arctic.

Q. What's the best thing about diving for Oceana?

A. We dive where it would otherwise be impossible to dive because of permits or accessibility and you're also diving to protect the area.

Q. What's the most amazing marine creature you've seen whilst onboard the Oceana ranger expedition this year?

A. An amazing amount of pilot whales, not only seeing them but hearing them as well, because the Ranger's hull is aluminum and inside you can hear the whales calling and communicating with each other. It's an amazing experience.

Q. What was your goal when joining Oceana Ranger 2011 expedition?

A. Get to the Gorringe seamounts (in Portugal) and dive there.

Q. What is your top ocean conservation tip?

A. Eliminate dumping and pollution in our oceans and seas and eradicate illegal fishing.

Enrique Talledo: Videographer

Q. What is your most memorable underwater experience?

A. It was probably diving with a leopard seal in the Antarctic.

Q. Is there any ideal image you are looking for and hoping to get it recorded?

A. I was hoping to film Killer whales feeding on tuna in the Straits of Gibraltar.

Q. Where in the world have you travelled with your work?

A. To South Africa, the Antarctic, Vancouver, Palau, the Maldives, the Red Sea, the Sea of Cortes, Honduras, Cuba, Kenya, the US, the Philippines, the Gulf of Mexico, the Mediterranean Sea, Scotland, the Baltic…

Q. What was your goal when joining the Oceana Ranger 2011 expedition?

A. To get good and interesting images that will help protect the oceans.

Q. What is your top ocean conservation tip?

A. Look, observe, listen and capture the moments without leaving any marks behind.