Gádor Muntaner: "Sharks kill about 10 people a year, and dogs kill more than 30,000."

BarcelonaWith more than 129,000 followers on InstagramGádor Muntaner (Barcelona, ​​​​1991) combines her work as a marine scientist with that of outreach. She is an ambassador for the National Geographic and exposes the true nature of sharks because she wants to raise awareness about the need for their preservation. We spoke with her shortly after returning from an expedition to the Philippines funded by Tropicfeel.

In a recent interview, you stated that "we need sharks on the planet, and they need us." What role do these animals play in our lives?

— Without sharks, which are at the top of the food chain, there would be overpopulation of other species, creating a domino effect that would ultimately disrupt the balance necessary for the survival of the marine ecosystem. Fifty percent of the oxygen we breathe comes from the sea, which also feeds us and regulates the climate. We need it to be in balance.

These animals play a fundamental ecological role, but their populations have declined by 70% in the last 40 years. What are the causes of this disappearance?

— The main one is overfishing. The technique of finningShark finning, which involves cutting off the shark's fin and leaving the rest in the sea, is widely practiced around the world. They are also affected by pollution, coastal degradation, and climate change.

Society often views sharks as dangerous predators, but you're someone who's swum with sharks. Do you deny that they're dangerous?

— Totally. It is more dangerous to have one selfie in certain places or putting your hand in a vending machine than swimming with sharks. Sharks kill about 10 people a year, and dogs, for example, more than 30,000. Movies and the media have created a false image. It's true that they are predators and have the potential to cause harm, but humans are not a target species, nor are we part of their diet.

As a marine scientist, you've experienced extreme experiences in various locations around the world. Have you ever suffered for your life?

— Yes, I've suffered, but never because of a shark. I always say that what scares me most is the force of the sea and the currents. In addition to the difficult situations that can arise with boats, which can miss you and run you over.

What did you feel when you swam with sharks for the first time?

— I must have been 15 or 16 years old, and I was traveling in the Maldives. The nights before I found out I'd be swimming in waters where I could see sharks, I couldn't sleep because I was so nervous. I was curious but also very scared. The first time I saw a shark, I heard the complete opposite. It had a very innocent look, and I thought it was a misunderstood animal. For me, sharks are a natural work of art that have been here for 400 million years and have survived mass extinctions. They've seen the world in ways we don't know. Being so close inspired a sense of peace, calm, and awe in me. Emotions I didn't expect to hear.

Did that trip spark your interest in marine wildlife?

— Yes. After that first time, I started taking diving courses to become a diving instructor. I'm the daughter of a pharmacist and a doctor. My family tried to convince me that I could still have that hobbyBut to earn a good living, I had to study pharmacy and continue the family business. I started a degree in pharmacy at 17, but at some point, I decided I couldn't live with that doubt, and I dropped out halfway through. So I worked for a few months in a sports store, went backpacking in Thailand, and then started a degree in marine sciences.

In 2016 you moved your career to La Paz, Mexico.

— Yes, I finished my degree there on a scholarship and specialized in what I wanted: sharks. From that first encounter, it was love at first sight, and I feel like these animals need a voice because they don't have one today.

Do you currently live in Mallorca?

— My paternal family is from Mallorca, and we spent every summer there. That's where I fell in love with the sea and felt at home. When I need to find an answer to anything in my life and feel a bit disoriented, I return to the sea. It's like returning to myself a little; I've always had that connection.

What are the effects of the overcrowding of the Balearic Islands on their marine ecosystem?

— I believe the Balearic Islands are one of the most important jewels of the Mediterranean, both for its small marine life and its pelagic life. Many people believe that some things are only seen in tropical locations, but the reality is that the Balearic Islands have a resident population of sperm whales, which are born and live here. We also have a transit area for cetaceans such as the fin whale, various species of dolphins, and pelagic rays. It's a very special place.

What measures should be taken for its conservation?

— The most urgently needed measure is the regulation of mass tourism, because otherwise it will destroy the islands in every way. And, secondly, the creation of more marine protected areas. I think one might think this would harm the fishing sector, but allowing marine life space to regenerate allows biodiversity and biomass to increase, and that also benefits them. A marine reserve not only benefits the protected area but also all adjacent areas; they greatly increase the quantity of fish. Investing in marine conservation is currently investing in a country's economy.

You're on the Forbes list of the best content creators in Spain. What's your life like?influencer?

— As a scientist, I realized that science was somewhat lacking if it wasn't accompanied by outreach and communication. Sometimes I feel like a fish out of water, but I love being able to represent the sea around this world. A few years ago, it would have been unthinkable to see scientists attending galas like this because they've always been more closely linked to fashion or the arts. lifestyleFor a few years now, there have also been many creators of travel content or other areas like conservation. I'm very grateful to social media because they've given me the opportunity to convey the importance of the sea.

Have you ever thought about disappearing from social media?

— When I talk to others influencers They tell me that they are often affected by the comments of ranchers. It makes me very sad because, in the end, a stranger would never come to your office where you work and say anything to you. However, it seems that because you're exposed to social media, anything goes. In my case, it's relatively easy because my goal is to spread the message of marine conservation, and if I encounter obstacles along the way, I find them. In the social media landscape, for me, the good still outweighs the bad. I'm doing fine so far.

The world of science is often a masculine field. How do you fit in?

— I've encountered situations, especially in physical field work, where it's sometimes assumed I can't do it because I'm a woman. Or because you often don't know if what's being valued is your professionalism and work, regardless of your physical appearance. Because you look cute in the photo, or because of the male sector's interest in women, to put it mildly.

Do you think we are generally not very aware of the importance of preserving seas and oceans?

— Yes, the greatest enemy of marine conservation today is ignorance and lack of information. We urgently need to include the presence of the sea and the importance of its conservation in all educational programs. And above all, we need to understand how we are connected. The sea swallows up the excess CO₂ we produce and helps us clean the air we breathe. It is the greatest ally we have today against climate change.

What could one of our readers do to help conserve the seabed?

— If you eat fish, make sure it's locally caught using the most sustainable and selective fishing methods possible. It's important to get used to eating what's available, what can be extracted in a way that can be sustained over time without burdening the ecosystem. On an individual level, reducing plastic consumption may seem like a very small action, but it's very important.