North Wind works to foster Galicia´s marine ecosystem conservation. To achieve our mission, we develop tourism and educational experiences through which participants collaborate with marine research programs.
We are a team of marine scientists who firmly believe that knowledge is the best way to protect the ocean!
This project is led by Diana Zúñiga, an oceanographer from Galicia who has developed her research career in different national and international marine research institutes since 2001. As a marine scientist, her work focuses on studying the role of the ocean in climate regulation and unravel the importance of plankton on sustaining Galician´s marine ecosystem.
Her passion for dissemination of marine research led her in 2019 to obtain the official guide certificate of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park, and finally in 2022, to found North Wind – Sailing for Science.
Zúñiga, D., Sanchez-Vidal, A., Flexas, M.M., Carroll, D., Rufino, M., Spreen, G., Calafat, A., Abrantes, F., 2021. Sinking diatom assemblages as a key driver for deep carbon and silicon export in the Scotia Sea (Southern Ocean). Frontiers in Earth Science, 9:579198. doi: 10.3389/feart.2021.579198.
Zúñiga, D., Kaal, J., Villacieros-Robineaur, N., Froján, M., Alonso-Pérez, F., De la Granda, F., Castro, C.G., 2019. Tracing sinking organic matter sources in the NW Iberian upwelling system (NE Atlantic Ocean): Comparison between elemental, isotopic and molecular indicators. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 139, 114-122.
Zúñiga, D., Santos, C., Froján, M., Salgueiro, E., Rufino, M.M. De la Granda, F., Figueiras, F.G., Castro, C.G., Abrantes, F., 2017. Diatoms as a paleoproductivity proxy in the NW Iberian coastal
upwelling system (NE Atlantic). Biogeosciences, 14, 1165–1179.
Zúñiga, D., Villacieros-Robineau, N., Salgueiro, E., Alonso-Pérez, F., Rosón, G., Abrantes, F., Castro, C.G., 2015. Particle fluxes in the NW Iberian coastal upwelling system: Hydrodynamical and biological control. Continental Shelf Research, 123, 89-98.
Zúñiga, D., Castro, C.G., Labarta, U., Figueiras, F.G., Aguiar, E., Fernández-Reiriz, M.J., 2013. Biodeposits contribution to natural sedimentation rates in the Ría de Ares-Betanzos (NW Iberian Peninsula). Aquaculture. 10.1016/j.aquaculture.2014.05.026.
Zúñiga, D., Froján, M., Castro, C.G., Alonso-Pérez, F., Labarta, U., Figueiras, F.G., Fuentes-Santos, I., Fernández-Reiriz, M.J., 2013. Feeding between physiological activity of Mytilus galloprovinciallis Lmk and biogeochemistry of the water column: microbial plankton as a tracer for food quality. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 476: 101-114.
Zúñiga, D., Alonso-Pérez, F., Castro, C.G., Arbones, B., Figueiras, F.G., 2011. Seasonal contribution of living phytoplankton carbon to vertical fluxes in a coastal upwelling system (Ría de Vigo, NW Spain). Continental Shelf Research, 31: 414-424.
Zúñiga D., Sanchez-Vidal, A., Calafat, A., Flexas, M., Coenjaerts, J., Company, J.B., 2009. Particle fluxes dynamics in the Blanes submarine canyon (NW Mediterranean). Progress in Oceanography, 82 (4): 239-251.
Zúñiga D., Calafat A., Heussner S., Miserocchi S., Sanchez-Vidal A., Garcia-Orellana J., Canals M., Carbonne, J., Delsaut, N., Saragoni, G., 2008. Compositional and temporal evolution of particle fluxes in the open Algero-Balearic Basin (Western Mediterranean): the relevance of aeolian supply and hydrological features. Journal of Marine Systems, 70:196-214.
Zúñiga, D., Price, B., Calafat, A., Sanchez-Vidal, A., Heussner, S., Miserocchi, S., Canals, M., 2007. Particulate organic carbon budget in the open Algero-Balearic Basin, Western Mediterranean: an assessment from a one year sediment trap experiment. Deep Sea Research I, 54(9): 1530-1548.
Zúñiga D., García-Orellana J., Price N.B., Calafat A., Adatte T., Sanchez-Vidal A., Canals M., Sanchez-Cabeza, J.A., Masque, P., Fabres, J., 2007. Late Holocene fine-grained sediment of the Balearic Abyssal Plain, Western Mediterranean Sea. Marine Geology, 237: 25-36.
Our commitment to fostering ocean conservation aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 13 and 14, which call for urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, and to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources (https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/).
North wind philosophy is based on the idea that it is possible to enjoy sailing whilst minimizing impacts on the marine environment. To minimize the negative impact on our beautiful ocean, we are strongly committed to reducing plastic waste on board. We are aware that sometimes this is a difficult task, but all our efforts will always be focused on getting better solutions.
Enjoying onboard activities safely depends on weather conditions, which means that North Wind reserves the right to cancel trips at the time and place of departure. In case of bad weather conditions, we guarantee you a full refund, or, if possible, the trip will be rescheduled at your convenience.
North Wind works with different boat companies, and for that reason, we will inform you about the reservation rules depending on the selected trip.
Diana Zúñiga
Email: info@northwind.gal
+34 605 89 51 83
Baiona, Galicia, Spain
GPS coordinates: 42.110654, -8.833467
