Enric Sala

Enric Sala is the founder and leader of National Geographic’s Pristine Seas, a project that combines exploration, research, media, economics and policy to work with local communities and Indigenous Peoples to protect vital places in the ocean.

A former university professor who saw himself writing the obituary of ocean life, Sala quit academia in 2008 to become a full-time conservationist as National Geographic explorer-in-residence. Since then, his work through Pristine Seas has helped create 27 of the largest marine reserves on the planet, covering an area of over 6.5 million square kilometers.

Sala has received numerous awards, including 2008 World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leader, 2013 Explorers Club Lowell Thomas Award, 2018 Heinz Award in Public Policy, National Geographic Hubbard Medal, Albert I Grand Medal, and Officer of the Order of San Carlos of Colombia. He is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

Sala earned his doctorate in ecology from the University of Aix-Marseille, France and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Barcelona.