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.
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.
(c) Sabrina Inderbitzi – www.superstarseagrass.com
| A FIRST STOPOVER IN MARSEILLE TO RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS.
A first stopover will take place in Marseille from May 12 to 16, 2025, featuring public conferences, awareness workshops for younger generations, ship tours, a seminar on the decarbonization of maritime transport, and the opportunity for companies to organize events on board. The catamaran will be moored at the Honor Quay of the Old Port, in front of City Hall.
A stopover in partnership with the City of Marseille.
As a partner of the stopover, the City of Marseille, represented by Deputy Mayor Hervé Menchon, is providing spaces within City Hall to help engage a wider audience on the importance of ocean conservation for the climate.
An inspiring educational journey.
Nearly 300 students, starting from fifth grade, are expected throughout the week to visit the vessel and explore an educational journey designed in partnership with the local branches of Les Petits Débrouillards and La Fresque Océane. The goal is to offer an engaging, interactive, and inspiring experience scientific, sensory, and creative to help students understand ocean-related challenges and foster an emotional connection with the marine world. Students from the French National Maritime Academy (École Nationale Supérieure Maritime) will also have the opportunity to engage with the crew and discuss the challenges and solutions related to the decarbonization of maritime transport.
Finally, on Thursday, May 15, from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM, several 4th and 5th grade classes will take part in an exclusive session based on the Posidonia documentary, in the presence of its directors, Nelly Kars and Bruno Lambert.
A seminar: “Full Sail Ahead for the Decarbonization of Maritime Transport”
Scheduled aboard the vessel on Tuesday, May 13, from 9 AM to 12 PM, this seminar will bring together maritime experts from Marseille to discuss this major challenge and share innovative technological and strategic solutions.
On the agenda: a presentation of Race for Water, a tour of the ship, a roundtable on the role of wind propulsion in maritime decarbonization featuring local stakeholders, and a live demonstration of the Aeroforce sail system. A representative from ENSM (French National Maritime Academy) will provide an overview of the wind propulsion sector in France, Djamina Houdet-Caseneuve from the emerging shipping company Hisseo will offer historical insight and speak about the specificities of sailing cargo in the Mediterranean, and Nicolas Imbert from Green Cross will present communication standards to help promote wind-powered shipping.
Seats are limited. If your organization is involved in this transition and you’d like to participate, please contact us at: info@raceforwater.org.
Free public conferences open to all.
Two free public conferences are also being organized to raise awareness about ocean preservation. These events will offer the public a chance to engage directly with scientists and advocates for this vital ecosystem.
- On Monday, May 12, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM, a film screening and discussion will be held around the documentary Plastic: Collective Suicide?. This film explores our dependence on plastic and the threats it poses to the environment and human health, through testimonies collected by Race for Water during 12 years of investigation into plastic pollution. The screening will be followed by a discussion with members of the team who took part in the foundation’s two previous expeditions dedicated to fighting this global environmental crisis.
- On Thursday, May 15, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, a conference on Posidonia will be hosted by Professor Charles-François Boudouresque, an ecologist and renowned expert on this key Mediterranean species. The talk will be followed by a special advance screening of the documentary Posidonia, in the presence of directors Nelly Kars and Bruno Lambert. Positioned between travel narrative and investigative documentary, POSIDONIA takes viewers on an adventurous journey with an unusual protagonist, exploring a degraded yet captivating coastline. The film is at once a wake-up call for a sea in distress, a peaceful fight for knowledge sharing, and an inspiring example of individual action and the right to dream.
To attend these conferences, simply register via the online form: https://forms.gle/FmQKRpxhNw4ww3C18
| 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.
