Archives: Members

João is our “Commander in Chief” at sea, he runs the team and boats to make sure everything is working smoothly. He comes from a old family of Azorean shipowners and always had the Ocean calling his heart, working with us for almost 30 years he´s passionate about the animals and photographing them too.

Since his childhood Pedro had a connection to the sea, he grew up watching Pico while spearfishing with friends in his native Faial Island. Working with his father as a professional fisherman he sailed all nine islands of the Azores, in 2003 he moved to Pico and became a full-time Skipper with us.

Former Portuguese Navy communications officer for 11 years, Ivan returned to Pico in 2017 with a huge smile, always willing to help. A true nature lover at sea and on land, he has been with Espaço Talassa ever since, and runs his own small accommodation project on the island.

Rodrigo grew up sailing traditional wooden boats from age ten, the ocean never let him go. A Sports Science graduate turned skipper, he now combines whale watching and sport fishing with a deep passion for the sea. Fifth season with us and counting.

Inês holds a Masters degree in Conservation Biology and coordinates our scientific collaborations. One of the few female skippers in the Azores, she also works as a guide since 2017. She discovered Pico two years later, when she joined us. Experienced at sea, she creates memorable moments by sharing her passion with a touch of humour.

Filipa holds a Masters degree in Applied Marine Biology, with research focused on Sea Turtle population growth in the Northeast Atlantic; these animals have been her passion since childhood. She joined us in 2021 and has no plans to leave. On board, she is always cheerful and eager to share her love and knowledge of the ocean and its inhabitants.

Grown up near the ocean in the UK, Becky studied Portuguese and Spanish before following her true passion into nature conservation — photo-identifying dolphins and monk seals in Greece, surveying cetaceans in Scotland. She arrived in the Azores in 2024 and has been happiest at sea ever since.

Stefanie grew up near the Mediterranean in southern France, diving since childhood and swapping fins for salsa shoes on land. After studying law and working in coastal environmental protection, she discovered the Azores — and sperm whales sealed the deal. Now settled on Pico, she brings together everything she loves: ocean, wildlife, and sharing her passion with curious people.

Jonas, a guide at Espaço Talassa, grew up by the Baltic Sea. After researching algae, corals, and seals, he now protects cetaceans. From our tiny boat, whether through a lens or dive mask, he loves sharing his fascination for the ocean and experiencing wildlife exactly as it’s meant to be.

Paulo grew up on Pico and started out working cattle with his father — but the sea had other plans. He became a professional fisherman and learned the art of the lookout while chasing tuna. With nearly thirty years reading the ocean, he carries the legacy of the Vigia da Queimada.