Pedro Félix no podcast “ScienceCast”: pepinos-do-mar, mangais e ciência com impacto

MARE researcher talks about marine ecosystems, conservation and the human side of research. 

In the latest episode of the ScienceCast podcast – A Conversation with Science, MARE/ARNET researcher in CIÊNCIAS, Pedro Félix, spoke about his work on less visible but essential marine ecosystems, such as the ocean floors inhabited by sea cucumbers and tropical mangroves.

In conversation with journalist Vasco Matos Trigo, Pedro Félix explained why sea cucumbers have attracted increasing scientific and commercial attention. These animals, which live in the sediments at the bottom of the sea, perform important ecological functions, such as recycling organic matter. But increased international demand, especially in Asia, has put several species under pressure.

‘They are very easy to catch and have reduced mobility. For years, there was no regulation whatsoever. When it became clear that populations were declining, fishing was suspended so that their situation could be better studied,’ said Pedro Félix.

Today, sea cucumbers are also being studied as a sustainable solution in aquaculture, where they can act as bioremediation organisms, helping to balance production systems. The researcher highlighted the role of MARE in collaborative projects with national producers and in European applied research networks.

The conversation also touched on the mangroves of São Tomé and Príncipe, where Pedro Félix participated in a participatory science and local capacity-building project. The fieldwork involved local communities and valued traditional knowledge, promoting more sustainable management practices.

‘The knowledge already exists in the field. The most important thing is to build bridges of dialogue, where everyone learns and contributes,’ he shared.

In addition to research, there was room to reflect on the challenges of a scientific career in Portugal: contractual instability, dependence on competitive funding, and the need for cohesive long-term teams.

The ScienceCast podcast, produced by PlaySolutions Audiovisuais with the support of CESAM at the University of Aveiro, welcomes researchers and communicators every week for relaxed conversations about science and society.

Click to watch and listen to the podcast

Text by Vera Sequeira