Ric Sagarminaga van Buiten, Cofounder of the NGO “Alnitak”, KAI Marine, LGB 1982
Ric Sagarminaga van Buiten
La Grande Boissière, 1982
Cofounder of the NGO “Alnitak”, KAI Marine Services, and the Spanish Cetacean Society
Spain, Balearic Islands
Learn more about me :
I started schooling at Ecolint at La Grande Boissière in 5th grade (1974) and graduated in 1982. I am the co-founder of the not-for-profit “Alnitak”, KAI Marine Services, and the Spanish Cetacean Society. I am currently coordinating the “Oasis Project, an international fishery sustainability and food security project for the EC and US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Classic boat skipper/carpenter and marine biologist, I have dedicated my life to the conservation of the oceans since 1985. Selected “Ashoka social entrepreneur” in 2014 for my success in combining science and stakeholder engagement for designing marine protected areas, and developing risk mitigation technological measures in the framework of regional and international policy and sustainable development strategies.
I graduated in 1982 and studied “Ecology” at the University of Neuchâtel. I combined these studies at university with work in situ at the Leatherback turtle research program on St. Croix (US Virgin Islands) with Drs. Karen and Scott Eckert. In parallel to marine biology studies, I was an activist in the grassroots actions of Greenpeace that achieved World moratoriums of toxic and radioactive waste dumping in the oceans and worked as shipwright apprentice with Maese R. Cueroni during the building of “J Class” “Amethiste” for Benjamin de Rothschild at the chantier Naval du Vieux Port, and as classic ship instructor for the Swedish sail training association Mot Bättre Vetande on board “Astrid Finne” and “Hawila” in Öckerö (Sweden). After that, my “campus” has been the Ocean, where I haven’t stopped exploring and learning since 1989.
Currently, I’m based in the Balearic Islands, working at sea with the collaboration of fishers and navigators in finding solutions to fishery sustainability. The Balearic Islands, as well as Sicily, Malta, and Gozo, are a unique laboratory for developing technological measures for food security that can be replicated worldwide. The last decades have been an absolute revolution in the science of the atmosphere and oceans. Being part of this is fascinating. For every discovery we achieve, a thousand new questions arise. Being able to dedicate my life to my dreams and the motto of “never stop exploring” is an absolute privilege for which I am extremely grateful.
I keep very many beautiful memories of my eight years at Ecolint. The most symbolic and funny (with perspective) for me was the arrival of the first Apple computer to school in 1980. It was the start of a new era. Data was stored on music cassettes! As years have passed, I have gradually come to appreciate how lucky I have been to experience schooling at Ecolint. The value of the true essence of the International Baccalaureate, the absolutely amazing teachers, the international friends, and the unique perspective of going through the path of education surrounded by an incredible diversity of perspectives and cultures. Then there are the amazing forest and soccer field, the Arts Department and Mr. Dorsay’s paintings, the Greek Theatre, the labs, the “French side”, Mr. and Mrs. Hamayed, the Auberge, Village Camps, the play “Man of la Mancha”, and so much more.
The experience at Ecolint shaped my global perspective of geography, history, literature, arts, natural sciences, etc. The level of education and quality of teachers. The amazing science labs! The diversity of students and teachers. Learning the basics for organizing projects, problem-solving, identifying opportunities, and program management. There is so much I owe all my Ecolint teachers for the success in my professional life. I was a back-row student. I was not aware of this back in 1982, but now I am extremely grateful and realize the value. I must say that it was difficult in the first year of university. Ecolint’s level of natural science education in grade 12 was so high that the first year at university was extremely boring. If it had not been for the experience of going out to St. Croix to work with Scott and Karen Eckert on an actual project, I would have given up.
If I had to do it all over again, I think I would skip my “revolutionary” years when I did a lot of silly and dangerous things. But no, I think I actually wouldn’t change a single thing. Mistakes also make you grow. I have had the privilege of living in a democratic, politically stable environment. I have had the privilege of having the love and support of my family and an amazing education. I have had the privilege of being able to live my dreams in a fascinating changing world. Living these decades has been like living in a time machine, and the experience at Ecolint has given me the tools to appreciate and live this with passion.
To share some words of wisdom with Ecolint students, I turn to the words of Seneca, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” I have always thought I was the luckiest person on the planet. Now that I’m 59, I realize that I have just put this sentence into practice. The only thing I think I can add to Seneca’s words is from my experience as ship captain. And that is the importance of believing in yourself (if you are prepared of course 😊), choosing a path/course, and then sticking to that without looking back or doubting “Have I taken the right path?”. Full speed ahead with passion!
What legacy do you want to leave? I have three daughters who also seem to be starting their lives with passion. I pray for them to be able to live their dreams as I have. The youngest of my daughters has Type 1 Diabetes. She is now 9, yet despite the burden of her T1D condition, she is the most positive and cheerful person I know. Every morning she gets up with a smile. She is my hero. She is exactly how I conceive life, as something that we must cherish every moment of. I hope that through my work I will have contributed to improving the livelihoods of coastal communities by working on solutions for a more sustainable management of the Ocean’s resources. And last but not least, I believe that being a witness to the beauty of life on Earth is my most important legacy, appreciating what you have, whilst you have it.