Jorge Bauzá Ortega expresses his love for marine life in a new book

For the doctor Jorge Bauza Ortegathe first step to conserving marine life is to fall in love with it. In his new book, titled Exploring the ocean and its coastline, seeks to promote that charm while taking readers on a journey of five ports, conveying the importance and unique beauty of the sea.

“This is a life project”said the author, in an interview with The new daydescribing the birth of his love for marine life.

In the text, he narrates how, as a child, he collected snails and corals, among other marine creatures, which, for him, were ambassadors “of the wonderful secrets (…) to come.” That curiosity led him to study until he obtained a doctorate in Marine Sciences from the University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez Campus. Currently, he is the scientific director of the San Juan Bay Estuarywhere he leads the programs water quality.

Despite his research and dissertations, Bauzá Ortega explains, in the preface of the book, that “There was a lack of desire to share what was known and understood”. Therefore, he looked for a clear and understandable way to convey his love and curiosity for the blue world that surrounds Puerto Rican life, which was reflected in the text.

In the nonfiction work, Bauzá Ortega offers an introductory course on the wonder of the planet’s submerged lands, writing not only about what they look like today, but also about how they were formed and what natural processes govern them. In this way, he hopes to educate the Puerto Rican public about the richness of the coasts that surround them.

“I want people to leave with more questions than answers. I want people to want to know more.”he added, speaking of his desire to transmit to others his love for marine life. He also stressed the importance of promoting this affection and knowledge to foster a culture that respects and protects the sea in Puerto Rico.

“Puerto Rico has more submerged territory than land”said Bauzá Ortega, highlighting the importance of looking at the sea not only as a natural beauty, but also as a resource that must be protected. “In that territorial sea, a number of resources that Puerto Rico needs are already being used”he added, referring to the possibility of using wave energy or offshore winds to generate electricity for the island.

As part of his efforts to promote education, the author seeks to collaborate with the organization Solidarity Library/School Without Walls to hold a book sale. The profits generated will go to the Alejandro Tapia y Rivera school in San Juan.

Bauzá Ortega will present his work in a bookstore tour in August and September: