Blancpain - Enric Sala, the Man from Atlantis
Could Enric Sala be the 21st century version of the Man from Atlantis ? You remember… the 1970s hero, the last survivor of the legendary city of Atlantis, the man with webbed hands and feet who cared about underwater life and devoted his knowledge to an oceanographic research foundation. While the historical parallels are indeed striking (for the 1970s generation), Enric Sala is definitely one of the main actors in modern-day endeavours to safeguard the planet.
What are Blancpain's values that you share?
Emotion and passion, to go always for authenticity
What does Fifty Fathoms represent for you?
The Fifty Fathoms links me to a long legacy of ocean exploration. Jacques Cousteau and others used the Fifty Fathoms in the 1950s to start exploring the ocean. Now I use it to not only continue exploring, but to help protect the ocean.
How would you describe your relationship with time?
Much of my work is under water. When I enter the sea, I enter another dimension, where time slows down, and even appears to fade away. However, I know that I am only a guest in the underwater world, and that my time below the surface is limited. So when I dive, I live in this paradoxical world where time slows down but at the same time it appears to fly, because usually I have to go back to the surface before I want to.
Are oceans doomed?
The ocean is under great pressure from humans. Parts of the ocean are doomed, like the coral reefs that have already vanished; but there are bright spots that give me hope, such as marine reserves where fishing is prohibited and marine life is making a spectacular comeback.
Greatest threat to ocean life?
There are three main threats, all caused by man: overfishing (we're taking fish out of the water faster than they can reproduce), pollution (from plastic to oil to fertilizers), and climate change (which implies seawater warming, ocean acidification, and loss of polar ice). All three act at unison, and have a devastating impact on marine life.
How can we raise awareness?
To protect we first need to love, and to love we first need to know. Media (such as films and articles) are very important to reach a large audience. But today it is most important to raise awareness among decision makers (politicians and business leaders), and show them that a healthy ocean is not a sacrifice, but a necessity, which also delivers benefits for the economy and for society.
You mention films… Do you remember the TV show The Man from Atlantis, starring Patrick Duffy, in the early 70's? What if I were to tell you that you are the 21st century Man from Atlantis?
Ha ha! I would be flattered to be viewed as a "man from the sea". Or someone like Captain Nemo, who more than a century ago (in the literary universe) was already defending the sea from unscrupulous land-based men!
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