Sunday 15/Oct/2023 at 08:05 – Updated at 08:05 Environment
For fifteen days, they travel through the Pelagos sanctuary to meet the cetaceans that inhabit these waters. On board the catamaran, a crew of six observers from the Miraceti association takes turns, from port to port, in order to raise awareness among local stakeholders about these threatened species. By who ? By what ? “The main cause is of anthropogenic origin, collision, particularly among fin whales and sperm whales. says Céline Tardy, the head of mission, met yesterday in the old port of Bastia, during a stopover. The only one on the island. “But there are also other factors that come into play, climate change, noise pollution and even plastic pollution.
A first mission
The challenge of this scientific expedition called “Explore Pelagos”, supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, is precisely “to collect in-depth information on these cetacean populations present in the sanctuary and to assess the impact of human activities in this sensitive area. This is in no way a coincidence since it is in this Mediterranean maritime area, born from a cross-border agreement between Corsica, France and Italy in 1999, that a very great diversity of cetaceans has been observed. There are nearly eight resident species on the 87,500 km² which delimit the maritime area.
For researchers, all they have to do is climb onto the bridge and scan the horizon. This is what they have been doing since setting sail from the port of Fontvieille in Monaco on September 29. “To bring back usable data, there is a protocol to follow.”assures Céline Tardy, who details the procedure while her teammates compile, on their computer, the latest readings and images taken the day before between Genoa and Bastia. “From the boat looking at the horizon, we manage to cover almost 3 km.” As soon as an eddy appears on the surface or a ridge breaks through the water, researchers approach and record this encounter.
Is this enough to estimate the size of the population in the area? For the Miraceti crew, not necessarily. “It would still take years of observations.” However, the association, the result of a merger between three former structures, was created in 2020. With this scientific expedition, it is taking to the sea for the first time.
The fin whale extends its presence
Although it is too early to provide an inventory, Céline Tardy has already observed that the fin whale, usually observed in the summer, has prolonged its presence in the sanctuary. The food resource and the increase in water temperature can partly explain it. “We also note that we have not witnessed movements linked to social activities of the species but food, which means that underwater, the resource is prolific.”
Elements that they shared at the dock, with maritime professionals and preservation associations. Aircrew from the maritime sector were also present. To date, thirty ferries and tankers, as well as large units, report the presence of these cetaceans on their passage on an application thus responding to an obligation dictated by the law of the reconquest of biodiversity, nature and landscapes of 2016.
This morning, it will be to the general public, expected above the captaincy of the old port of Bastia, that the research will be delivered. Always to raise awareness among the sailors of tomorrow.
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