Iceland Mission 2023

The expedition to the Westfjords, particularly in Ísafjörður, is part of a comprehensive study in the North Atlantic, complementing fieldwork already conducted in Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and Saint-Pierre and Miquelon. This research project is dedicated to studying Nordic coastal communities and their relationship with the environment, specifically the exploitation of natural resources. It is conducted in collaboration with the European Sustainability Center.

During this preliminary mission, we observed several issues related to current challenges in environmental and societal transition: the induced effects of climate change, the shift from fishing to aquaculture, and the rise of mass tourism. The Arctic region is one of the most affected by contemporary climate change, so it is vital to understand the territorial dynamics and adaptation mechanisms implemented by local populations to address these challenges.

Copenhagen Blue Biodiversity

The Copenhagen Blue Biodiversity project explored innovative initiatives restoring and increasing the biodiversity of Copenhagen’s water bodies. An integrated artificial reef prototype was developed in order to host marine organisms in the harbour 🌊

🗺️ Mapped existing initiatives, narrowed our focus, and figured out our approach.

🔬Fieldwork sessions thanks to our amazing contacts. Hands-on action and valuable insights!

🌟 Awesome presentations from external stakeholders, a game-changer for ideas, knowledge, and making connections.

📚 Put together a literature review to understand the canal species and ecosystem.

📄 Created a one-pager to show off our project.

🐚 Sourced materials for the prototype, like oyster shells from local restaurants and fishermen.

⚓ Planning to set up our prototype in the northern harbours of Copenhagen.

🔧 Currently building the prototype!

Posters/ Fish, Seasons, and Local 📣🐟🌏

📍European Marine Information has contributed to the production of a poster for fish consumers in the Gulf of Gascony. In the form of a calendar, it highlights the seasonality of seafood, based on their life cycle, fishing techniques, and our commitment to respecting the diversity of life in the ocean. It showcases the species captured and landed in the Gulf of Gascony, based on the scientific assessment of fish stocks.

📍This is a tool for seasoned consumers, aiming to be an aesthetic complement to information provided by professionals committed to sustainability (Pleine Mer Association).

📍The original idea comes from Guillemette Crozet, a data designer (https://infogrim.com/), who wanted to use a beautiful object to help everyone consume more responsibly, following the model of peasant agriculture. https://infogrim.com/

📍She turned to Atelier SerreJoint to create a beautiful screen-printed poster! There is a limited number available (100 signed, numbered, and sealed copies!)

Here is the second edition (North Atlantic Brittany Zone – English Channel) of the poster for sustainable and local fish consumption in which Marine Initiatives participates! Thanks to Guillemette Crozet and Atelier SerreJoint for offering such a beautiful tool in favor of more sustainable seafood consumption!

SAIL 2 SEE - From British Columbia To Brittany

How to protect humpback whales with remote sensing and acoustic methods

Most of the information available over humpback whale behaviour are provided by flight or boat observations. Additional data can be used to understand their migratory movements and to avoid to disrupt them. This study shows how remote sensing and acoustic methods can be used to protect whales of human activities. Two techniques are described: the acoustic method with the integrated submarine surveillance system and the satellite method (telemetry) which is used to measure indicators from a high distance. The latter is based on the ARGOS system as well as many other tools like tags that can be used for creating models and maps. Furthermore, the study of their habitat is essential to understand their movements. Two indicators can render the presence of cetaceans: The Sea Surface Temperature, whose data are obtained by satellite imagery, and the chlorophyll a concentration which is an indicator of the photosynthetic activity of the planktons and whose data are obtained by the SeaWIFS satellite. So far, the studies have shown a correlation between the cold waters, the chlorophyll a concentration and the presence of cetaceans. Besides, other factors have an influence on the repartition of the humpback whales, especially the climatic phenomenon El Niño in the Pacific and the topography of the seabed. These methods could help in making maps that indicate the areas frequented by the cetaceans and thus establishing a speed limit intended for boats, indeed, collisions are an important factor of mortality. Other solutions canbe conceivable to protect them such as the setting up of repellent with modulatory frequencies and pulse signals on boat. The importance of prevention has to be emphasized since the human activities are a threat to their habitat and can lead to their death.

Authors: P. Calvy, C. Magot

Preventing vibriosis infections of fishes in aquaculture thanks to satellite remote sensing

Diseases like Vibriosis due to Vibrio anguillarum are known as important issues in aquaculture. Indeed, it causes a huge economic deficit for production of many fish species like sea bream and bass. Satellite remote sensing offers a new possibility to detect bacterial population growth. A link between phytoplankton blooms and vibrio cholerae expansion has already been shown, allowing preventing some cholera epidemics.

Spatial observations could provide both images and predictions to create a model of the possible contaminated areas over time. Based on biological studies and satellite forecasts; it would be possible to predict the next areas potentially contaminated by the bacteria. Those predictions would allow farmers to move their parks outside of the area where the disease is located. Farms are more and more equipped with mobile parks, and it would be an opportunity to optimize their movements. Furthermore, it would also be a way to adjust antibiotic treatments on fishes, showing the best moment to use medicines. This information could be integrated in a fish farming application with other climate information provided by Copernicus system.

Authors: P. Calvy, J. Danto, C. Laskar, J. Gonçalves