Naturascan, a mission to assess the presence and distribution of marine megafauna

Naturascan's mission is to assess the presence and distribution of marine megafauna within the Natura 2000 site "Baie et Cap d'Antibes-Iles de Lérins baie". One of the characteristics of this site is to shelter in its offshore extension, canyons reaching more than 1500 meters in depth, conducive to the presence of marine mammals.

Since January 2020, the Marineland Association, the city of Antibes and the Aquanautes have been committed to bringing this monitoring program to life. Every month, three observers, a rapporteur and a pilot embark on the Haizea, the zodiac of the Marineland Association. 50 km of linear transects, a study area of ​​72.5 km2, are covered and observations are carried out according to a precise protocol, at a slow speed of 6 knots.

All observations are scrupulously recorded: in 2020, 15% of observations concern striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) and sunfish (Mola mola) respectively, 44% of observations concern birds, the boreal shearwater (Calonectris borealis), Scopoli's shearwater (Calonectris diomedea), common tern (Sterna hirundo), sandwich tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis), gull (Larus michahellis), northern gannet (Morus bassanus), greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus), sporadically gelatinous organisms (Velella velella) and the most remarkable observation remains that of this female sperm whale and her calf (Physeter macrocephalus).

Through its monitoring program, Naturascan observation data will enrich the studies carried out within the framework of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) coordinated by the OFB.

In 2020, nine outings were carried out, representing more than 300 km of prospecting effort, i.e. more than 400 km2 "scanned" with a result of 41 observations.

The Naturascan program is renewed in 2021. The group of volunteer observers is growing and nearly thirty people are involved in this monitoring. The training of observers is ensured. The prospecting area is also expanding to include the Lérins Islands area. Two areas, two prospecting protocols, two separate outings. It is thus almost the entire Natura 2000 area that is surveyed each month (target set).