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| Guests of Honor |
Erna Heberlein Born
in Zurich in 1917 Erna Heberlein moved to Ticino (southern part of Switzerland) in
1941 where she lives to this day. She was the understandig and intelligent wife of
Hermann Heberlein, one of the first Swiss pioneers of diving, photography and scientific
research in this field. She shared this passion with him, and was an active participant
together with their four children. At the start of the 50's Hermann founded in Nervi
(Italy) a dive centre in the Hotel of his friend Beeler. Erna took part in the first
dive course, under the guidance of the legendary Duilio Marcante. When, in 1956,
Hermman began a dive school on Elba Island, the whole family spent their vacation
diving there. By now the Heberleins were totally at home in the sea. At the Lipari
Islands Hermann took housed photographic equipment underwater for the first time,
and was able to take the first photos. Erna supported her husband in his research,
in the patient composition of the prized Maritime Document collection; she was active
in a life full of adventure, culture, creativity and love for nature, and this was
possible thanks to the openness and charachter of this lovely figure of a woman.
Even now, Erna passes her vacations armed with snorkel, fins and mask, in tepid tropical
seas, or in Sardegna where Hermann fought a long battle to obtain wildlife sanctuary
status for a peace of costline.Nardo Vicente  Born
in Barcelona in 1936, Prof. Nardo Vicente studied in Marseilles where in 1958, he
was nominated assistant of their Science faculty. As a young scientist he took part
in the Marseilles Oceanography Centre's research, studying the marine environment
directly as a diver underwater. In 1961 he participated in research on the benthos,
in the Tyrrheinian Sea, aboard the Calypso captained by Cousteau. A Professor of
marine biology since 1968 and director of the Centre of Study of marine animal resources
(a Marseilles science faculty), he teaches marine biology and zoology of marine invertebrates.
He has been head of scientific campaigns of the Port Cros National Park since 1970.
He is also a member of the park's scientific committee of the Scandola nature reserve
in Corsica. As Science Director of the Paul Ricard Oceanographic Institute since
1972, Prof. Vicente has conducted research into pollution and on shellfish. It is
thanks to his efforts that the great Mediterranean nacres are now a protected
species. He has co-authored many films on the Mediterranean, which have received
international acclaim. His work has been awarded with success and prestigious honours
among which are: Officer of the Order of the ́Palmes Académiquesî and the
́Tridente d'Oroî from the Ustica Academy. From 1999 he is part of the Academy of
Science, Literature and Arts of Marseilles. |
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