Every 11 February, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science is celebrated, a date proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 to recognise the fundamental role women play in advancing scientific and technological knowledge.
Beyond recognition, this day seeks to promote fair and equal access for women and girls to education, research and innovation in science and technology. This objective remains particularly relevant: although young women now access higher education in greater numbers, their presence in scientific disciplines remains uneven. Globally, only 35% of science graduates are women, a gap that reflects structural barriers, stereotypes and unequal opportunities that persist throughout scientific careers.
At SUBMON, we recognise that addressing the ocean’s environmental challenges requires diverse and inclusive teams, where every voice matters. Projects such as COSTtERA-3, which began this February, are a good example. Developed in collaboration with Fundación Biodiversidad of Spain’s Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge through the Pleamar Programme, and co-funded by the European Union through EMFAF (the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund), the project shows how marine science can advance thanks to the participation and leadership of women at every stage of scientific work. Today, we would like to mark the occasion by speaking to Natàlia Amigó, a biologist and researcher at SUBMON and member of the COSTtERA-3 project team. She shares her scientific vocation, her professional journey and her experience as a woman in science and in the maritime sector.
Researcher Natàlia Amigó on board a marine survey dedicated to the study of cetaceans in the Mediterranean. Photo credit: Alba Sotorra.
Natàlia, could you tell us a little about yourself and what your work at SUBMON involves?
I hold a degree in Biology and a Master’s in Environmental Engineering, specialising in the research and conservation of marine mammals, with a particular focus on cetaceans. Since 2020, I have been working at SUBMON, developing projects related to the study and conservation of marine biodiversity in the Mediterranean.
My work focuses on studying the abundance, distribution and ecology of marine mammals, as well as analysing how human activities, such as fishing and maritime traffic, influence their populations. I combine fieldwork, data analysis and tools such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and species distribution models to provide information that supports management and conservation.
Which project are you currently working on and what are its main objectives?
We are currently working on the COSTtERA-3 project, which aims to contribute to improving the conservation of bottlenose dolphins and to enhancing the sustainability of fishing activity in Catalonia by conducting a comprehensive analysis of their interactions with bottom trawl nets in protected areas.
The project includes research surveys at sea to record the distribution of bottlenose dolphins in the Cap de Creus area and to assess the extent to which they depend on fishing activity. We also use underwater cameras and hydrophones to study their underwater behaviour and their direct interactions with fishing gear in greater detail.
In addition, we incorporate new technologies, such as artificial intelligence-based tools, for the automated analysis of acoustic and video data, enabling us to improve both the precision and efficiency of data processing.
Where does your vocation for science come from?
I have always been very curious, with a need to understand why things happen. That curiosity, almost without my realising it, led me towards science.
Over time, I understood that science was my way of channelling that way of seeing the world: observing, asking questions and trying to find answers.
How did your interest in biology and marine mammals begin?
I have been passionate about animals and the sea since I was a child, and marine mammals have always held a special fascination for me. When I was very young, I would spend hours in the sea with my mask and snorkel, searching for anything I could find underwater.
Over time, that fascination evolved into dolphins, whales, seals—any marine mammal. I remember watching documentaries and thinking how lucky it would be to work with these animals. At that time, however, I had no idea how to achieve it, as there were few visible role models and not as many accessible studies or projects as there are today.
What has your journey been like towards working professionally in cetacean research?
As I grew older, more initiatives and discoveries began to emerge, and from the age of 12 I was certain I wanted to study Biology in order to try to work with cetaceans. It seemed very difficult at the time, and it still is, and many people around me did not fully understand it. Fortunately, my family always supported me and saw it as something possible, which meant I never considered changing direction.
Once at university, you realise the path is not straightforward: few positions, limited funding, scarce opportunities. I began doing internships, but what I found was somewhat disappointing. At that point, I had doubts and decided to pursue a more stable route by undertaking a Master’s in Environmental Engineering, which in principle offered broader career prospects.
However, at that very moment, I had the opportunity to join an NGO in Barcelona as a volunteer to study cetaceans in the Catalan-Balearic Sea. I decided to combine the Master’s with volunteering. Once I finished, I knew that what I truly wanted was to work with cetaceans. I therefore did not continue along the engineering path and instead spent nearly ten years combining non-marine jobs with volunteering, carrying out research campaigns at sea and analysing data. Eventually, I decided to move to Iceland to work as a whale-watching guide.
Shortly before COVID, the opportunity arose to join SUBMON, and at that point I decided to take the step and return home in order, finally, to work professionally on the study of Mediterranean cetaceans.
In your experience, what does it mean to be a woman in the scientific and maritime fields?
Current data show that being a woman in science is not easy. Nevertheless, I believe the situation is changing and that in many areas female representation is steadily increasing. For example, during my time studying Biology, the majority of students were women. In the field of marine mammals, in fact, the proportion of women is higher than that of men.
However, although women may be the majority in some areas, this proportion is not reflected in positions of power or in roles with greater responsibility.
Fishermen collaborating in the project and researcher Natàlia Amigó during the installation of underwater cameras on trawl nets. Photo credit: SUBMON.
Have you encountered specific barriers as a woman throughout your career?
Given that my sector has a strong female presence, in strictly academic or scientific environments I have not so far felt direct barriers due to being a woman. I have experienced more difficulties linked to pursuing a career in science itself, due to the limited opportunities, job instability and lack of funding that characterise the sector. In many cases, the challenge has not been gender as such, but the structural precarity of scientific careers: unpaid positions, short-term contracts, high competition and poorly defined career paths. This makes the journey demanding for anyone who wishes to pursue it.
Looking back, I think where I have had to adapt most has been in the maritime field. This type of research requires going to sea and, when I began over fifteen years ago, there were very few women in that environment.
In those early years, I did feel a greater need to demonstrate my knowledge and capabilities in order to gain the trust of seafarers. It was not always explicit, but there was a sense of having to constantly validate that you were prepared for work on board.
In addition, as a biologist, it is common to work on vessels where female presence remains limited. In theory, this should not pose a problem, but in practice there can be some uncertainty about the treatment you might receive. Fortunately, over time I have perceived a positive change, although there is still progress to be made.
In any case, I think it is important not to generalise. Each environment and each experience is different, and not all women face the same situations. I speak from my own personal journey.
Have you had female role models who have inspired you in your professional path?
When preparing for this interview, I asked myself who my role models had been and, honestly, there is no single woman in particular. When I was growing up, there were fewer stories of projects or discoveries led by women; science did not have the visibility or public interest it has today. As I learned about different stories, I would think how incredible it was what these individuals had achieved and how far they had come.
However, rather than one specific figure, what truly inspired me was the collective presence of women who were advancing, taking on positions of responsibility and making themselves visible. Seeing my colleagues and the women I have met along the way, who want the same things, are driven by similar motivations and share comparable ideas and dreams, has inspired me more than any single reference.
And, of course, the women in my family have been my greatest example. Although they were not linked to the sea or to science, they taught me the value of perseverance, the importance of enjoying what you do and the strength to keep moving forward.
What do you see as your main personal challenges for the future?
On a personal level, my main challenge is to continue growing professionally without losing direct contact with the sea and fieldwork. I would like to keep developing projects that generate applied knowledge and have a real impact on the conservation of Mediterranean cetaceans.
And more generally?
More broadly, one of the sector’s major challenges is securing sustained funding that enables long-term research. The study of marine mammals requires extensive time series to understand population trends, behavioural changes or the effects of climate change, and this is only possible through continuity in projects. This is coupled with the need for stronger links between science, management and society, so that the knowledge generated translates into effective policies and greater public awareness.
Another key challenge is improving stability and working conditions within the sector so that many women do not drop out along the way. In science and conservation, precarious employment, short-term contracts and difficult career paths remain common, and this has particular implications when intersecting with life stages such as motherhood or work–life balance.
It is important to continue fostering working environments based on respect, equality and professionalism. I believe there has been positive progress in recent years, but further work is still needed to ensure that equality becomes a natural and consolidated reality across the sector.
Finally, what message would you like to share with girls and young women who dream of pursuing a career in science?
It is difficult to give a general message, as everyone follows their own path. But if a girl or a woman wants to pursue a career in science, I would encourage her to go for it, not to give up, and never to let the fact that she is a woman hold her back.
Today’s situation is very different from years ago and continues to evolve. There are increasingly more role models, more opportunities and more spaces where women are present. Gender should not be the obstacle that prevents them from reaching where they want to be. They should trust in their abilities, even when the path seems difficult or moments of doubt arise, because that too is part of the process. There is more than one way to reach your goal. Above all, never lose your curiosity, perseverance and passion for what you do or aspire to do.
