𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐚 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲

Supported by the European LIFE program, the SEADETECT project continues to advance its mission of reducing ship-whale collisions. In September 2024, a major milestone was achieved with the successful deployment of four acoustic modules in the Pelagos Sanctuary at an impressive depth of 2,500 meters. These modules were successfully retrieved in early December, marking significant progress for the initiative.

▷ 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

●  𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐬: The acoustic modules, designed to detect cetaceans and underwater objects, were retrieved after a one-hour ascent from the seabed. The data collected is now secured and analysis will begin in early 2025, contributing to the ongoing development of the SEADETECT system.

●  𝐀𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐆𝐨𝐚𝐥𝐬: SEADETECT aims to reduce cetacean collisions by 80%, addressing the primary cause of unnatural mortality for these species within the Pelagos Sanctuary.

▷ 𝐀𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦

The project is built on three key technological pillars:

●  Real-Time Detection: A shipborne system to locate cetaceans and other floating or submerged obstacles.

●  Passive Acoustic Monitoring Network: A buoy-based system to triangulate cetacean positions in real time.

●  Collaborative Application: A platform for sharing detection data to alert other vessels of potential collision risks.

𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐞𝐭 𝐎𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬: 𝐀 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫

French company Quiet Oceans has been instrumental in deploying and retrieving the acoustic beacons. With expertise in acoustic monitoring and mitigating the impact of anthropogenic noise on marine life, Quiet Oceans also contributes its capabilities in underwater noise modeling and partnerships with conservation organizations and research bodies.

𝐀 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭 !

SEADETECT brings together a consortium of over ten partners from three European countries—Belgium, France, and Italy—exemplifying a collaborative approach to safeguarding marine biodiversity in the Mediterranean and globally..

This achievement highlights the potential of innovative technologies and international cooperation in addressing critical environmental challenges, paving the way for a safer and more sustainable coexistence between marine ecosystems and maritime activities.