SCS – Team
Max-Olivier Bourcoud
SCS founder & president
Passionate about marine biology and ocean conservation, Max-Olivier Bourcoud is the founder and current president of the Swiss Cetacean Society - SCS.
For over ten years, he was a Whaling Protection Consultant for Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan at the Animal Welfare Department of the Bellerive Foundation in Geneva.
In addition to his active commitment to ecology in Switzerland, he regularly participates in numerous environmental missions, whether marine or terrestrial, on different islands of the Hawaiian archipelago, Florida, France and England.
Max-Olivier Bourcoud is also responsible for the environment and sustainable development aspect of international equine events organized by Equissima in Lausanne.
In the field of education, Max-Olivier Bourcoud is a post-compulsory specialist teacher, which brings him to teach ecology and sustainable development in a vocational school. He is also a didactician in Education with regards to the environment and sustainable development, as well as a pedagogical accompanist for teachers in training in French-speaking Switzerland.
SCS guides coordinator &
SCS guide
PhD in Biotechnologies, Alexandre is passionate about photography, ornithology and marine life. He is active in several ornithology associations in Switzerland, collaborator and bander for the Swiss Ornithological Station. He participated in several expeditions of cetacean censuses in the Mediterranean before becoming a SCS guide, then coordinator of the guides.
Co-manager of the project Indian Coasts Conservation, fundraiser & SCS guide
With a Master degree in tourism and animals rights, Ivan has specialized in marine wildlife tourism through several expeditions and courses including South Africa, India and the Mediterranean Sea. As a strong animal advocate, he is interested in ways to reconcile species conservation and eco-tourism. He is also a SCS Guide and manages the Indian Coasts Conservation project in collaboration with Terra Conscious.
Volunteer manager & SCS Guide
With a Master’s degree in Environmental Science and Engineering from EPFL, Melissa has always been fascinated by dolphins and wanted to contribute to the conservation of biodiversity. She left as an assistant guide for Fanny on an expedition to the Hyères Islands in 2015, to complete her 3-month internship at the SCS offices.
Vaquita project coordinator
Graduated from the Higher School of Social Work. Stéphanie has developed a great passion for dolphins from an early age. After completing her studies, she went to New Zealand for five months to observe marine mammals with a team of Marine Biologists. Currently she coordinates the Vaquita project in collaboration with ProNatura Noroeste and follows the training to become a SCS guide.
Administrator
Graduated in Communication from MarKom, Imen assists Max-Olivier and Pierre-André in countless logistical details of the organization.
Fundraising officer
PhD in Biology, Christine has been committed for more than twenty years to the protection of marine species. Former SCS Guide, Christine has carried out her master’s degree on Mediterranean cetaceans, before completing her PhD in the medical field. Rich of ten years career in the pharmaceutical field, Christine brings her experience in project management to SCS.
Scientific collaborator and project coordinator
PhD in molecular biology, Lida is passionate about marine environment, biodiversity, photography and travel. For the past ten years, she has devoted a great deal of her free time volunteering for the welfare of children and animals. She is currently the SCS Coordinator of the Project Marine Mammals of the Ionian Sea, in collaboration with the Tethys Research Institute.
Green turtles project coordinator & SCS Guide
Student in psychology, for many years, Laura has been passionate about nature and particularly the marine environment which led her to study biology at UNIL. Laura took part in a trip to the Ligurian Sea three years ago as well as several conferences on cetaceans. She also coordinates the project on the protection of green turtles in the Comoros Islands.
Monk Seals project coordinator and SCS guide
Graduated in psychology, Fanny has been passionate about nature and biodiversity since her early childhood. She has conducted several Eco volunteer missions for the study and protection of wildlife, particularly in Africa. She has volunteered at various specialized seal care centres. She is currently coordinating the SCS monk seal project in partnership with the Mom Foundation in Greece. She is also a SCS Guide and provides training for future guides.
Accountant
As an accountant of the SCS, Pierre-André oversees the registration processes and accounting operations relative to SCS’s offshore programs.
Our captains
Christian Gras
Capitain
owner of Ichthus
Experienced high sea navigator, Christian is Professor of Plastic Art, Painter and Sculptor.
Gilbert Troncy
Capitain
Owner of Pat
Experienced high sea navigator, Gilbert used to live on his boat for many years. He is a teacher in a vocational technical school.
Gilles Martin
Captain
Owner of Merrespect
Professor of Physics-Chemistry and confirmed sailor, Gilles is the owner of Merrespect, transoceanic catamaran Lagoon 47 of 14m10. He puts his skills and spare time at the disposal of marine mammals through SCS. His thirty years of experience allow him to share his passion with the greatest number of the other members of the SCS in the respect of the ecology and the marine environment.
