Earlier this year I left the safety of a well paid job, got onboard a boat and set sails towards the horizon commencing a magical journey with an unknown final destination. A few months into my travels I unexpectedly received an opportunity to accompany a beautiful yacht headed towards Mallorca. Unsure of what to expect from the island I was prepared to move on after maximum a week of relaxing beach life. Mallorca was merely meant to be a short stop on the way to an exotic far-away destination. Yet to my own surprise two months later I am still here, planning to stay around for a while whilst volunteer working with Asociacion Asociación Ondine.

Having the possibility to travel the world yet choosing to remain here has made people wonder “Why Mallorca out of all places?” or “Why Asociación Ondine out of all marine conservation organizations?”

Although I could make a long list of reasons for supporting Asociación Ondine I don’t believe that to be necessary any more. It’s already crystal clear to all of us – weather we are only passing by Mallorca or residing on the island – that the Balearics are just as magnificently beautiful and unique as they are fragile and vulnerable. It is apparent that our environmental exploitation, overfishing and marine pollution has left them in urgent need of care and protection. And it is commonsense that by protecting them we are in fact protecting ourselves and everything that we love and strive for in our own lives. Therefore it seems needless to me to point out the impossibility of us, our families and our businesses thriving in the Balearics for much longer unless we take steps to actively embrace and support Asociación Ondines vision of a healthy Balearic Sea – underneath as well as above the surface. Because whether we want to admit to the problems or not, Asociación Ondine is already on to solutions that each one of us, knowingly or unknowingly, will depend on.

To me, the answer to the posed question “Why Asociación Ondine?” is a very simple one; I fundamentally choose to support Asociación Ondine with my time, skills and money because I believe in its’ people. Having spent time with the humans behind Asociacion Asociación Ondine I have come to believe strongly not only in their vision, core values and means to reach crucial goals, but also in their integrity and competence. In their love for the sea, their passion and their devotion to each of their projects. In their commitment and impressive, interminable energy. Energy which drives them to continuously learn open-mindedly and keep problem solving until they have succeeded to overcome seemingly impossible challenges.

I have come to believe in Asociación Ondines willingness and ability to understand and communicate the needs, challenges and possible benefits of change for the broad variety of communities that make up the Balearic society. By involving and connecting key agents such as marine biologists, local governments, fisheries, island residents, boat owners, businessmen and tourists Asociación Ondine aims to find common goals and implement sustainable solutions that maximize the long term benefits for everyone involved while simultaneously assuring that we will be able to enjoy the Balearics, not only in the next five, but rather fifty-five and hundred fifty-five years from now.

Therefore, becoming a part of the Asociación Ondine community is something that falls naturally to me and if given enough support from us all I ultimately believe that Asociación Ondine has what it takes to become the driving force towards a thriving future for the Balearic Islands, as well as a leading example for the whole Mediterranean to follow.

Mari Gutic