In the Mediterranean, large cetaceans such as whales and sperm whales are particularly threatened by ship collisions — the leading cause of unnatural death for these species.
SEAsteMAR: Anticipating Risks at Sea
This project (2024–2026) aims to strengthen maritime safety and protect cetaceans by addressing two major challenges:
- Reducing the risk of collisions with cetaceans and protecting vulnerable species
- Improving forecasting of extreme weather events linked to climate change
Observing and Listening to Cetaceans to Better Protect Them
Until now, REPCET®, operated by MIRACETI, enabled sailors to share real-time sightings of cetaceans at sea with all vessels equipped with the system.
With Interreg Marittimo SEAsteMAR, the system is being enhanced with acoustic monitoring: in collaboration with the University of Toulon and its CIAN center, buoys equipped with hydrophones automatically detect and locate cetaceans through their vocalizations.
