From May 9 to June 10, Race For Water renews its commitment to protecting the oceans and sets sail once again aboard a new ambassador vessel : the MODX 70, an innovative catamaran with zero pollutant or noise emissions.
This new expedition aims to deepen the crucial links between the Ocean and the climate, notably through awareness-raising activities and a scientific mission dedicated to strengthening the monitoring of Posidonia seagrass meadows in the South of France.
| A SCIENTIFIC MISSION TO MONITOR THE EVOLUTION OF POSIDONIA
Presentation of the scientific mission
This mission, called the “Posidonia Mission” is carried out in partnership with the GIS Posidonie and supported by the French Biodiversity Agency. Its aim is to acquire updated knowledge on the status of the Posidonia meadow at its lower limit.
(c) Sabrina Inderbitzi – www.superstarseagrass.com
A scientific cooperation wih GIS Posidonie
The Scientific Interest Group created in 1982 at the initiative of the French Ministry of the Environment and the Port-Cros National Park, the GIS Posidonia (GISP) was responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the Posidonia Surveillance Network in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region from 1984 to 2003. It has recognized expertise in assessing the quality and dynamics of Posidonia meadows.
What is Posidonia?
Posidonia is a vital marine plant for the Mediterranean ecosystem. It plays a crucial role in maintaining marine biodiversity, filtering water, protecting coastlines from erosion, and combating climate change thanks to its remarkable carbon storage abilities.
A mission to trace the evolution of Posidonia over the past 40 years.
Since 1984, markers have been installed along the French Mediterranean coastline to track the evolution of Posidonia. However, some of these markers have not been visited since 2004. Investigative dives into the lower limit of the Posidonia meadow (about 20 to 35 meters deep) are planned, with GIS Posidonie scientists, to locate these markers and explore up to 18 sites along the PACA region coastline. This mission will provide an unprecedented overview of 40 years of evolution, helping to better understand the trajectory of this essential species.
Objectives:
- Visit and assess characteristic seagrass meadows in the Southern Region: preserved areas (Port-Cros National Park), resilient areas (Prado Bay, heart of the Calanques National Park), areas impacted by anchoring and/or introduced species (Gulf of Saint-Tropez, Cannes Bay, Cap Martin).
- Locate and restore the historical devices whose monitoring ceased in 2004.
- Update the seagrass meadow’s evolution’s monitoring by integrating modern methods
- Estimate the date of the seagrass meadow’s disappearance in regression zones.
- Raise public awareness about the importance of the Posidonia seagrass meadow and its conservation.
| A FIRST STOPOVER IN MARSEILLE TO RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS.
From May 12 to 16, as part of the Mediterranean campaign of the Ocean and Climate Odyssey, the Race For Water team made a first stop in Marseille to raise awareness among the general public, students, policymakers, and businesses about the connections between the Ocean and Climate, as well as the challenges of decarbonizing maritime transport. Over 300 people were welcomed aboard Race for Water’s new ambassador vessel, a zero-emission catamaran free of both pollution and noise: the MODX 70. Additionally, many had the opportunity to learn more about ocean issues during two conferences held at Marseille’s City Hall.
A film debate on the documentary “Plastic: a collective suicide?”.
On Monday, May 12, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM, a film debate was held around the documentary Plastic : A Collective Suicide?. This film highlights our dependence on plastic and its effects on health and the environment. About thirty people attended the screening. They then had the opportunity to engage in a discussion for nearly an hour with Camille Rollin, who contributed to the making of the documentary and took part in the previous Race for Water Odyssey, during which many images and testimonies featured in the film were collected.
Learning programs to educate the younger generation
During this week, nearly 200 students participated in an educational program that was both engaging, interactive, and collaborative, designed specifically for them.
Their experience began with the screening of two short films, which helped them understand the goals of the Ocean and Climate Odyssey as well as the challenges of the Posidonia mission. Camille Rollin then invited the students to collectively reflect, using the Fresque Océane card game, on the many services the ocean provides and the threats it faces.
The students continued their journey with a guided tour of the MODX 70, led by Raphaël Lambot, the ship’s captain, and Émilie Garros, a watch sailor, discovering a revolutionary catamaran in terms of energy and sustainable navigation.
To deepen their knowledge, they took part in interactive workshops run by the La Fresque Océane and Les Petits Débrouillards, exploring the close links between the ocean and climate. The youngest students concluded the experience with an artistic creation session, producing beautiful illustrated messages in tribute to the ocean.
Finally, on Thursday, May 15, alongside the program, about one hundred CM1-CM2 students had the privilege of attending a presentation on the documentary Posidonia, in the presence of its filmmakers, Nelly Kars and Bruno Lambert.
A seminar dedicated to the decarbonization of maritime transport.
On Tuesday, May 13, an exclusive seminar dedicated to decarbonizing maritime transport took place aboard the ambassador vessel, the MODX 70.
The event brought together Marseille-based experts and pioneers in the maritime transition to share innovative technological and strategic solutions.
About a dozen key stakeholders from the local maritime sector attended the seminar. Innovative presentations and concrete testimonies highlighted the urgent need to decarbonize maritime transport and showcased solutions already in action : cargo sailboats, smart wing sails, solar propulsion, hydrogen, and hydrogeneration.
The goal ? To reconcile technological performance with respect for the oceans. It was a fascinating dive into a cleaner, more sustainable, and human-centered maritime future, detailed in the full report.
SPEAKERS
- Marco Simeoni, Founder and President of the Race for Water Foundation
- Christophe Madrolle, President of the Sea Commission, South Region, France
- Franck David, Executive Director of Ocean Development
- Colomban Monnier, President of the ENSM Foundation
- Djamina Houdet Caseneuve, co-founder of the HISSEO
- Nicolas Imbert, Executive Director of GREENCROSS
- Jean Guyon, Executive Director of AEROFORCE
You can find the full report right here.
A conference on posidonia to highlight the importance of preserving this seagrass habitat.
On Thursday, May 15, at the Espace Villeneuve-Bargemon, a conference on Posidonia was held, featuring a range of speakers aiming to raise public awareness about the importance of preserving this unique seagrass meadow found only in the Mediterranean.
The conference began with a welcome address by Hervé Menchon, Deputy mayor of Marseille, who emphasized the importance of local action in the face of global climate challenges.
Camille Rollin then introduced the Race For Water Foundation and its Posidonia mission, dedicated to the preservation of this vital underwater plant.
Charles-François Boudouresque offered valuable insight into how this Mediterranean seagrass meadow symbolizes the deep connections between the ocean and the climate, highlighting Posidonia preservation as a powerful act of climate resilience.
The evening continued with the exclusive premiere screening of the documentary film Posidonia, directed by Nelly Kars and Bruno Lambert. This sporting and maritime adventure deeply moved the audience, sparking strong interest and numerous questions.
The night concluded with a dynamic exchange with the audience, reflecting a shared commitment to protecting marine ecosystems.
| A SECOND STOPOVER IN NICE FOR THE 3RD UN OCEAN CONFERENCE.
Race for Water will also make a second stopover in Nice, from June 2 to 4, 2025. The MODX 70 will join the Wonders of the Ocean fleet as part of the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference.
In collaboration with members of the Génération Mer Expedition Cluster, an educational pathway will be offered to raise awareness of key ocean issues, highlighting each member’s individual commitments through a collective and complementary approach to public engagement.
Find out all about the programme for the Nice stopover here.
