Share the Ocean’s study for the 2023 Ocean Race leg between The Hague and Genoa. The background map represents the density of animals, the more yellow, the higher the density. The route colours represent the probability of encountering at least one mammal on the route; yellow indicates high probability, blue indicates a low probability. Routes are simulated taking into account weather conditions, boat size and proposed exclusion zones (red polygons). The red crosses represent collisions reported during previous races. Below: the annual number of collisions reported in ocean races from 1965 to 2023
into account the density and characteristics of the animals (size, swimming speed, dive times, seasonality) on the one hand, and the size and speed polars of the vessels on the other. Meteorology-driven routeing is then used to make the best estimate of both the probability and number of encounters along the routes followed by the vessels. Where routes cross known areas of high
animal concentrations exclusion zones are proposed to the relevant party and the probability and number of encounters are re-estimated. In general, avoiding areas of concentration have already proved to reduce the estimated – and actual – number of encounters along these routes. This model can also be used to identify
areas along the route where the risk of col- lision is reduced and voyage time saved.
when passing through, or avoiding alto- gether, areas where animals are known to be concentrated. But few if any of these techniques have yet been seriously applied to offshore racing, one of the objectives of the Share the Ocean programme.
A transdisciplinary project The Share the Ocean programme was born in 2019 from the reflections of its founder, the naval architect Renaud Bañuls, after a couple of transatlantic races – the New York-Les Sables d’Olonne in 2016 and the Brest Atlantique in 2019. During these two races, despite a very small number of com- petitors, a large number of collisions were reported which resulted in many retire- ments. The results were sobering, and Renaud Bañuls decided that something had to be done. After long discussions with scientists,
especially marine biologists and experts on the ocean currents, the project was launched in 2023 in the form of an interdis- ciplinary consortium between the Bañuls Design naval architecture office, the Platon- Inria CNRS centre for applied mathe - matics, École Polytechnique and the Pelagis observatory near La Rochelle, France. Share the Ocean today has one primary
goal: to reduce the number of collisions between marine megafauna and vessels, particularly in offshore racing which is where we have the greatest experience. At the most fundamental level it is nec- essary to rethink our maritime practices by
routeing ships in a more responsible and ecologically sensitive way, to preserve marine biodiversity while ensuring the safety of ships and passengers to continue our maritime activities of all types. To ensure the robustness of its analyses Share the Ocean uses a scientific approach based on international collaboration with spe- cialist research teams and relationships with recognised authorities including the International Whaling Commission.
Identifying high-risk areas To estimate the areas where there is a high risk of encountering marine megafauna it is first necessary to estimate the density of the animals in the areas crossed by the races (or shipping routes). Mathematical models are first used to
establish relationships between the animals observed, for example during scientific surveys, and environmental variables that describe the oceans (water temperature, currents, depth and so on) in order to identify the optimal conditions for each species. In areas where conditions are optimal animals will tend to concentrate and their numbers can be statistically pre- dicted. This is not a conventional nature study, the aim is not to obtain the real-time distribution of animals but to identify the areas used regularly by the animals. Once the densities are known another
statistical model is used to estimate the probability of encountering an animal along the vessel’s route. This model takes
The golden rule: working together To improve practices, racers, teams, sponsors, race organisers and scientists need to work together more closely. Reduc- ing collisions not only preserves biodiver- sity but also ensures the safety of sailors and reduces damage to expensive vessels. Following The Ocean Race in 2023 the
Arkéa Ultim Challenge-Brest 2024, organ- ised by OC Sport, is now also working with Share the Ocean. Together we are defining exclusion zones where boats will no longer be allowed to sail (following the example of the ice gates). The ambition is to inform teams, racers and race directors where col- lisions are most likely to occur and to try to avoid – or at least minimise – such colli- sions by re-routing the fleet accordingly.
In the future Share the Ocean is currently focusing on cetaceans, as they are the best-studied marine megafauna species, and offshore racing, where we have a real need to improve practices. In the long term we wish to extend our knowledge to other species (sharks, turtles, large fish), as all species need to be protected, and to extend our expertise to commercial shipping using ocean racing as the pioneer. Share the Ocean aims to protect the
marine biodiversity, preserve and develop the maritime economy, increase knowl- edge of the oceans and raise public aware- ness of key maritime issues. A shared value for a shared ocean! Auriane Virgili
auriane@sharetheocean.earth
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