From the Biodiversity Foundation, of whose Advisory Council Enrique de Cárdenas was a member, we join these beautiful words that his colleagues from the Subdirectorate General for the Protection of Fisheries Resources have dedicated to him.

TO THE OLD ELM, CLEFT BY LIGHTNING

AND IN ITS ROTTEN HALF,

WITH THE RAINS OF APRIL AND THE SUN OF MAY

SOME GREEN LEAVES HAVE COME OUT.

Antonio Machado wrote this poem at a complicated moment in his life. At a personal crossroads between hope and despair when he saw that the love of his life was slipping away day by day, but with the illusion of his new life in Soria, of walks in the Castilian countryside and receiving the inspiration that would lead him to write a significant part of his sublime work.

The poem that for many would be a sign of the non-return of a symbol, a few leaves on a centenary tree would not be enough to ensure its continuity, for a few it would be a clear sign of hope, of going back and believing that the splendor of past springs would be recovered.

That’s how Quique would see it. Enrique de Cárdenas, always vitalist, who will be remembered for his optimism, for his positive attitude towards the different scenarios and roles that he had to play. Always with his friendly smile, ready to dedicate a kind word.

Quique left us last week, but he has only done so in person. We have his example, his attitude towards life, his teachings in so many aspects of Fisheries, the anecdotes that he collected for so many years since his time at the Spanish Institute of Oceanography in those first campaigns around the world, his example in the General Secretariat of Fisheries. The collaborations with so many Institutions… He was an example of the necessary collaboration between scientists and managers and he is today more than ever when, once again, he has managed to get us all to agree to mourn him after his departure.

For all of us who are part of HIS Subdirectorate, the Subdirectorate General for the Protection of Fisheries Resources, Enrique de Cárdenas is our teacher. He cultivated excellence as a person and as a scientist, his great heart enveloped us as much or more than his knowledge.

Boss and endearing colleague, always with a smile and a great humanity impossible to forget, that is your image. You were a companion and a special boss. You managed to get everyone by your side to work with enthusiasm with the trust you placed in each of us, making our day-to-day work easier. With you we worked at ease. A great teacher who took us by the hand, but at the same time opened our minds and left our hearts touched forever.

Quique was a great scientist, with a boundless heart and kindness, who shared his joy and wisdom with his colleagues and who made it very easy to carry out the day-to-day work.

Enrique de Cárdenas, an excellent scientist, an excellent companion and a very good person. Rest in peace.