Manuel is Chief Curator of the Funchal Natural History Museum and Head of the Funchal Marine Biology Station. He is also Head of the Science Division of the Funchal Municipality.

Manuel is a member of the board of directors of IMAR – Institute of Marine Research, Portugal and on the Advisory Council of the Madeira Forest and Nature Conservation Institute. He is also President of the Coordination Council of the OOM – Oceanic Observatory of Madeira.