Dr. Ivone Mirpuri, Medical Advisor to the Mirpuri Foundation, was a featured speaker at the Ocean Talks during the Ocean Race Europe Fly-By in Matosinhos, Portugal.
Representing the Mirpuri Foundation, Dr. Mirpuri contributed her medical expertise to address the critical links between ocean health and human health.
The Ocean Talks were part of a broader initiative organized by CIIMAR (Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research) aimed at promoting ocean literacy, scientific engagement, and sustainability awareness. The event drew thousands of visitors and featured interactive science exhibitions, sailing experiences, family workshops, and environmental-themed multimedia presentations.
Dr. Mirpuri’s presentation focused on the harmful effects of plastic pollution on human health, a subject the Mirpuri Foundation has long prioritized through its medical and environmental programs.
Drawing on extensive research, she explained how chemical contaminants in plastics act as endocrine disruptors, interfering with hormonal systems that regulate critical bodily functions such as blood pressure, fertility, and emotional wellbeing.
Her talk underscored the urgent need for greater collaboration in research, education, and policy to address the long-term health risks posed by plastic exposure — a challenge deeply intertwined with ocean degradation. The Ocean Talks provided a key platform for advancing this dialogue, bringing together science, civic engagement, and environmental action.
The Ocean Race Europe Fly-By in Matosinhos was not only a celebration of elite sailing, marked by the arrival of IMOCA-class racing yachts, but also a rallying point for ocean conservation. The two-day event blended sport, culture, and science, reflecting Portugal’s commitment to sustainability and innovation along its Atlantic coast.
The Mirpuri Foundation has a longstanding relationship with The Ocean Race. In the 2017–18 edition, the Foundation was the principal sustainability partner and founding sponsor of Turn the Tide on Plastic, a racing team dedicated to raising awareness of marine pollution. The Foundation also secured victory in the inaugural Ocean Race Europe in 2021 with its VO65 yacht Racing for the Planet, demonstrating its commitment to using sport as a catalyst for global change.
Dr. Ivone Mirpuri’s participation in the *Ocean Talks* reaffirmed the Mirpuri Foundation’s mission to protect the planet and improve human health by bridging science, sustainability, and society.
Photo: Matosinhos Municipality President Dr. Luísa Salgueiro and Dr. Ivone Mirpuri
