Mafalda Freitas is the Regional Director of the Sea within the Regional Government of Madeira. She has a PhD from the University of Madeira and specializes in the taxonomy of sharks and rays, especially deep-sea sharks. She has participated in several scientific diving expeditions, scientific fishing and ROV missions, research projects and international congresses and published articles in the field of marine sciences, especially on cartilaginous fish and ocean literacy. Mafalda also has a MSc in Business Administration, specialising in the management of MPAs.