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National Geographic Explorer in Residence and Ocean Conservation Leader Enric Sala Honored with Royal Medal
The Royal Geographical Society awarded Sala with its Founder’s Medal — approved by His Majesty King Charles III — for his efforts to create marine protected areas across the globe
National Geographic Explorer in Residence Enric Sala diving in a jellyfish filled lake in Palau.
Manu San Félix, National Geographic Pristine Seas
WASHINGTON, DC (June 8, 2026) — Today, National Geographic Explorer in Residence and founder of Pristine Seas Enric Sala was presented with the Royal Geographical Society’s (RGS) 2026 Founder’s Medal for his global leadership in ocean conservation and extensive marine research. RGS recognized nearly two decades of work by Sala and his team helping nations to create marine reserves benefiting the ocean, economies, and the climate. Since 2008, National Geographic Pristine Seas has helped to create 31 marine protected areas (MPAs) covering nearly seven million square kilometers of ocean.
Sala was presented with the award during a medal ceremony at the RGS headquarters in South Kensington, London. The Founder’s Medal — which recognizes extraordinary achievement in geographical science and discovery, and requires the approval of the King — has been awarded annually since 1832.
Founded by Sala in 2008, Pristine Seas has been a leading force in advancing marine conservation globally through scientific expeditions, publication of more than 300 scientific papers, and creation of documentaries that move the needle on ocean policy. At the invitation of governments, the team collaborates with local researchers and communities to study the ocean — from the Arctic to the tropics, from the deep sea to coral reefs.
The team’s videographers capture stories while scientists study the ocean using cutting-edge tools like cameras that drop to the bottom of the sea, a submersible that can reach 1,000+ meters deep, and eDNA analysis that can catalogue species not seen with the naked eye. Pristine Seas produces a documentary for use in each country, featuring local communities’ knowledge, insights and personal connections to the sea.
“To receive the Founder’s Medal, with the gracious approval of His Majesty The King, is a profound honour, but one that carries an equally significant responsibility: to persist in our mission to explore and protect the world’s most vital marine environments,” said Sala.
The award comes amid a surge of recognition for the global importance of MPAs, often called “national parks of the sea.” Research shows the reserves provide economic benefits, increase the food supply, and build resilience against global warming. For example, studies show that fully protected MPAs can help restore fish populations by 500% on average, yield bigger fish over time, and help replenish fishing grounds around the MPAs because of the spillover of marine life.
Yet, currently less than 10% of the ocean is protected in some way — and less than 3% is fully protected from fishing and other damaging activities. This is despite a global goal of conserving at least 30% of the ocean by 2030.
On May 12, during the inaugural Melanesian Ocean Summit that Sala attended, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Vanuatu helped move the world closer to that goal. The countries signed a landmark declaration launching a network of cross-border MPAs, the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves (MOCOR). The same day, Papua New Guinea announced its intention to create a new MPA covering roughly 200,000 km² of Pacific Ocean waters — an area nearly the size of the United Kingdom.
“However, our work is far from over. In the realm of conservation, unfortunately, there is no such thing as retirement,” remarked Sala. “We must persist in our mission to explore and protect these vital marine environments for the sake of ocean life and, indeed, for humanity itself.”
Sala received the award alongside fellow Royal Medal recipient Professor Loretta Lees, who received the Patron’s Medal for her work on urban geography and leadership in the study of gentrification, housing and urban inequality. Past Royal Medal winners include Dame Fiona Reynolds, Neil Armstrong and Sir David Attenborough. Sala collaborated with the famed broadcaster as an Executive Producer on the award-winning film Ocean with David Attenborough.
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About National Geographic Pristine Seas (2026)
National Geographic Pristine Seas works with Indigenous and local communities, governments, and other partners to protect vital places in the ocean through research, policy, and filmmaking. Since 2008, Pristine Seas has helped establish 31 marine protected areas, spanning more than 6.9 million square kilometers of ocean.
Pristine Seas is part of the global non-profit, the National Geographic Society. Our mission is driven by science and filmmaking — we are fully independent from National Geographic publishing and its media arm.
The work of Pristine Seas is made possible through the generous support of the Bezos Earth Fund, Bloomberg Philanthropies, The Campbell Foundation for the Environment, Disney, Don Quixote Foundation, The Aaron And Catie Enrico Family Foundation, Google, LGT Venture Philanthropy, Lindblad Expeditions – National Geographic Fund, Minderoo Foundation, Oracle, Philip Stephenson Foundation, Postcode Lottery Group, Rituals, Tanka Foundation, Ted and Michele Waitt–TTMMC Fund, UBS Optimus Foundation, an anonymous donor, Renwick Family and other individual donors.
Royal Geographic Society
About the Royal Geographical Society
The Royal Geographical Society is a learned society, professional body and registered charity with over 14,000 members that has been dedicated to the advancement of geography and geographical science since its formation in 1830. Today, we deliver this mission by developing, supporting, and promoting geographical education, research, expeditions and fieldwork, and professional practice, as well as by advocating on behalf of the discipline. Our broad public and cultural engagement programme, alongside our historical Collections of over two million items spanning 500 years of geography, travel and exploration, support our aim to foster an understanding and informed enjoyment of the world we live in. Everyone with an enthusiasm for geography, travel and exploration is welcome to join us. Find out more about the Society at www.rgs.org.
About The National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society is a global nonprofit organization that uses the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. Since 1888, National Geographic has pushed the boundaries of exploration, investing in bold people and transformative ideas, providing more than 15,000 grants for work across all seven continents, reaching 3 million students each year through education offerings, and engaging audiences around the globe through signature experiences, stories and content.
To learn more, visit www.nationalgeographic.org or follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook.
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