Submon
Mission of the organisation
SUBMON is a Spanish NGO that develops its own projects, mainly directed towards the conservation, study and awareness of the marine environment, and always with a clear social and sustainable development character.
Submon aims to conserve marine biodiversity and to achieve the sustainable use of the marine environment by promoting a change in the relationship between society and the sea, through on-site actions and using and transmitting knowledge.
Area of Expertise
- Wildlife veterinary medicine
- marine conservation
- sea turtles and cetaceans
- underwater habitats
EUROWA Charter signed in 2020
Involvement in European preparedness/EUROWA since 2013
Meet the team
Partner organisation
Submon
Describe your job
I work in a marine conservation organisation that focuses on the conservation of protected marine species and habitats. I specialise in two topics:
- Work with fishers to reduce the impact of bycatch of marine turtles and to improve the way they handle these animals to increase their chances of survival after the interaction
- Improve the preparation in Europe, and especially in Spain, to respond in case of oil-spill incidents that affect marine wildlife, mainly through the development of manuals and training courses.
How would you explain your job to a five year old?
Animals in the wild also need a veterinarian that looks after them when they are injured or sick, just like our domestic animals; that’s what I do.
What do you love most about your job?
To be able to use my passion for veterinary medicine and apply it to make a real impact on the conservation of marine species.
What are the trickiest situations you face as part of your job?
I have worked many times on board fishing vessels, surrounded by male fishers of other cultures (usually Latin America). The trickiest situations always happen there: spending weeks in small vessels with no option to return to land, overcoming rough sea conditions while smiling and keeping a good attitude, being the only doctor on board and having to care for all the people there. At the same time, sharing time with fishers onboard has given me some incredible experiences and lessons that I will always remember with a big smile.
What was your dream occupation as a child?
If you were a superhero, what would your secret power be and why?
How can people get in touch with you?
mariluz@submon.org
Instagram: mluzvet
Partner organisation
Submon
Describe your job
I work in a marine conservation NGO where I carry out different projects that could be summarized in three main topics:
- Study and restoration of underwater habitats and species.
- Environmental education.
- Marine litter and pollution.
How would you explain your job to a five year old?
What do you love most about your job?
What are the trickiest situations you face as part of your job?
Field work in the ocean can be tough sometimes. Depending on the weather conditions it is not always pleasant to be on a boat or diving… but I have no complaints as it is something that I love doing. The trickiest situation that I face as part of my job is to witness some of the human-related impacts that the ocean is suffering.
What was your dream occupation as a child?
Since I saw a Jacques Cousteau documentary as a child, I wanted to be a member of his team!.
