Combine rigorous scientific fieldwork with environmental education

Twelve monthly sea surveys aboard two vessels will cover a 40-nautical-mile transect from Porquerolles to the Toulon canyon — a zone within the Pelagos Sanctuary that has never before been systematically monitored. The scientific protocol, designed by Professor Hervé Glotin (CNRS, Université de Toulon), uses passive acoustic hydrophones and photo-identification to track cetaceans including sperm whales, fin whales, and Risso's dolphins, while floating debris is collected and characterized under an OFB protocol. Data will be shared with the Parc national de Port-Cros, the Pelagos Sanctuary, and the European EUROPAM project. Three of the twelve outings will be open to the public as participatory science experiences, and the findings will feed into school workshops, marina outreach sessions, and a public roundtable.