Artificial coral reefs in the gulf of Aqaba

The Changing Oceans Expedition studied in the gulf of Aqaba a new conservation plan for protecting coral reefs: artificials reefs.

3D reconstruction of a coral pinacle

The Changing Oceans Expedition is in Sharm El Sheik for a special mission: modeling in 3D a coral pinnacle. The divers will have to place many markers on the pinacle and then take pictures from every angles. The images are finally processed by stereophotogrammetry.

Tourism impact on dolphins

During its stay in Hurghada, The Changing Oceans Expedition meets scientists from Dolphin Watch Natural Underwater Science and HEPCA to better understand the impact of tourism on the dolphins populations from the Red Sea.

Making of 5D movie in Malta

While Fleur de Passion is sailing towards the Suez Canal, part of the crew of the Changing Oceans expedition is in Malta for a cinematographic project. We will poduce a film in 5D about the underwater life in collaboration with Pinkau, a German production company.

Invasive species - Southern England

A rather unknown aspect of human impact on oceans: invasive species. Along the European coasts as elsewhere, aquaculture, transportation and aquaria have increased the exchange of exotic species. Scientists from the University of Bangor will join the expedition to study the spreading of the American slipper limpet, a small mollusc from North America. This study will allow to observe its effects on [...]

Remember Sail 2010!

The Antinea expedition arrives in Amsterdam in a festive atmosphere. Fleur de Passion navigates among the most beautiful tall ships in the world... Share our experience!

The Wadden Sea: protected and preserved

Fleur de Passion is navigating in the Wadden Sea. The goal of the expedition is to gather information on best practices of these marine protected areas, which have been classified world heritage by the UNESCO in June 2009. This will complete the information gathered earlier in the expedition and will help us to develop a global strategy for decreasing the impact of human activities on the oceans.

Baltic Sea Mission

We are in the Baltic Sea for 3 weeks with scientists from the German Oceanographic Museum in Stralsund. Their work focuses for the first part on collecting and sampling species to study the evolution of this fragile ecosystem. A second group is collecting underwater footage and images for the museum.

Kids on board

We welcome groups of teenagers on board to experience life at sea and bring them closer to the oceans. Share their experiences !

Harvesting Algae

Léo and Daniel from the Antinea team learn all about harvesting algae near Brest in France. Algae is turned into alginates which are frequently used in the food, cosmetic and pharma industries.

Seals and cetaceans

On July 20th we encounter 9 harbour seals in the marine research center of the University of Rostock in Warnemunde, Germany. A short dive with the marine mamals during which Prof. Guido Dehnhardt explains the studies carried out in the center.

Cumulative human impact on the Oceans

A local fisherman, Ylias, joins the expedition's scientific team, including scientists from the USA and Italy in the marine protected aera of Al Hoceima, Morocco. Their goal, validate and improve "a global map of cumulative human impact on marine ecosystems" (Science Feb 2008).

The Kiel Week

The Changing Oceans Expedition began its mission in the Baltic Sea with a socio-educational project. An opportunity for swiss students from Lausanne to do fieldwork in marine biology while also getting an introduction to life at sea onboard Fleur de Passion.

Bow Wave

Fleur de Passion has left Morocco and is sailing between two continents towards Spain. A group of common dolphins is playing in the bow wave of Fleur de Passion. Watch this short sequence to share the experience and beauty of the moment.

Marine mammals in the Gibraltar Strait

An encounter with dolphins, pilot whales and killer whales in the Gibraltar Strait with the help of the FIRMM Foundation, which organises whale watching tours.

Interview with Dr. Kim Selkoe

Interview with Dr. Kim Selkoe

Interview with Prof. Fiorenza Micheli

Interview with Prof. Fiorenza Micheli

Interview with Houssine Nibani

Interview with Houssine Nibani

Red Tuna farms in Malta

An abundance of fish surround Fleur de Passion. These fish are, however, trapped in large cages, fed systematically until they reach commercial size. Divers from "The Changing Oceans Expedition" explore a tuna farm.

Interview with Dr. Awni Behnam

Interview with Dr. Awni Behnam

Interview with Dr. Benjamin Halpern

Interview with Dr. Benjamin Halpern

Diving in Croatia

Diving in the marine protected area of Lasvoto

Cross over Croatia-Malta

The 2009 expedition comes to an end. Fleur de Passion leaves Croatia, heading towards Malta, for the last mission of the year.

Interview with Irina Radic Rossi

Interview with Irina Radic Rossi

Submarine archeology in Croatia

Dive into the waters of Cravtat in Croatia to discover giant dolias, impressively well preserved archeological vestiges and listen to Irena explaining the measures to protect the site.

Towards Scandola

We permanently leave Calvi towards the marine reserve of Scandola. The ride is bumpy, but the trip is well worth the effort. Our new mooring site is the beautiful Bay of Girolata. We are finally ready for our next mission.

A fabulous day

The rare encounter between Fleur de Passion and black globicephala: truly an unforgettable moment!

Working together

STARESO scientists and the crew of the Fleur de Passion took it in turns to lower and pull up the plankton net. 10 samples were collected in one day, for which the scientists rallied together 20 times, always with a smile!

Action in Calvi harbour

On arrival at the port of Calvi, the entire crew of Fleur de Passion readies itself for docking. Preparation is important and the maneuvers are intense.

A positive report

Thanks to Antinea, the second REPCET mission gathered a large amount of data for the study of fin whale behaviour.

Wonderful experiences

The Fleur de Passion and its crew were able to study the behaviour of a fin whale for more than three hours.

Extreme weather conditions!

The second REPCET mission has started. We are tracking a whale. Are we going to find it?

Sailing by night

3am - 4am: A night maneuver before changing the crew.

The Mortella 2

In partnership with Arnaud de la Roche, Antinea diver teams discover two 16th Century Spanish galleons.

Pilot whale paradise!

Yffig is a cameraman as a hobby ... when he doesn't need to steer!

Cybelle Méditerranée

A week with "Cybelle Méditerranée" discovering cetaceans, turtles and many other wonders...

Waiting for the shark

The wind has settled and the Fleur de Passion welcomes aboard two scientists from the AILERON association.

The decline of tuna

Another reception onboard the Fleur de Passion. David chats with the local fishermen who will help us catch our shark.

Recovery of the Crittercam

The turtle has been released successfully. A few hours later, it is time to start searching for the radio signal which will enable us to follow the animal and recover the Crittercam once it is detached from the turtle.

The Crittercam: First Images

The Crittercam has been recovered. Greg Marshall and the Antinea team are eager to view the pictures taken.

Bad weather forecast

Gale force winds prevent Fleur de Passion and the armada of fishermen from sailing out to sea.

Setting up the Crittercam

Time to go! The Antinea team, accompanied by CESTMED and Greg Marshall take the turtle on board the Fleur de Passion.

Arriving at Cap d'Agde

Fleur de Passion sets sail for Cap d'Agde. We are meeting Greg Marshall from National Geographic.

National Geographic onboard

Greg Marshall has arrived from National Geographic USA. We are preparing to release a turtle fitted with a Crittercam back into the wild.

REPCET Mission Report

Pascal Mayol, REPCET's Chief Scientist

New Sails for the Fleur de Passion

The crew tests its brand new sails for the first time....over 350 m2 of cloth custom-made....Thanks to NORTH SAILS!!

Cormorants and fishermen

Bird specialist and crew member on the Antinea, scientist Matteo Griggeo talks about the cormorants which are nesting on the Sinis peninsula. They form part of an ongoing project, which also involves the local fishermen and the Marine Reserve management team.

The fine art of attracting sperm whales

To each their own secret method...

Inauguration of Fleur De Passion

The Official launch ceremony for The Changing Oceans Expedition and inauguration of the newly renovated Fleur de Passion

Visit of the MPA team

Members of the team from Peninsola del Sinis Marine Protected Area come onboard Fleur de Passion with armloads of delicious sardinian products.

Rainbow Warrior

A chance encounter in the middle of the Mediterranean.

Life on board

A certain routine evolves over long trips.

Dolphins in the bow

This morning dolphins are paying a visit Fleur de Passion, playing around the bow.

Departure

Departure time is here at last.

Tunisia, a few hours prior to departure

Countdown before departure from Tunisia.

Exploring an historical wreck

Abdelhamid Berkouri, professor at the University of Sfax, also a specialist in maritime history and naval archeology, takes the Antinea team to the fishing port of Sfax.

Traditional fishing techniques

Abdelhamid Fehri, a history professor at Sfax University, is also a connaisseur of Kerkennal traditions. He invites the Antinea crew to the Island's traditional museum, which he set up.

Traditional fishing in Sfax

The fish market in the medina of Sfax

Asma Baklouli, professor of human geography at the University of Sfax, guides the Antinea Team on a privileged tour to discover the most secret corners of the medina, where it seems everything that can be bought is sold.

The Gulf of Gabes

Souffian Mosba, oceanographer and secretary for the Association of fishing school leavers, who organised Antinea's visit to the Gulf of Gabes tells Matteo about some of the special features of this unique region, sometimes referred to as the nursery of the Mediterranean.

Tunisia and the sea

Asma Baklouli, professor of human geography at the University of Sfax shares with us her passion for Tunisia, its maritime tradition and for the sea, a borderless environment uniting people from different countries.

Tradition and the modern world

Abdelhamid Fehri, professor of history at the University of Sfax explains to Gerald the difficulty that traditional fisherman have to survive with current levels of productivity, and that they are increasingly leaving to find better jobs in the cities.