{"id":10219,"date":"2026-04-09T01:44:56","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T23:44:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/nos-recherches-copy\/"},"modified":"2026-04-09T06:32:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T04:32:18","slug":"our-method","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/en\/notre-methode\/","title":{"rendered":"OUR METHOD"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The research base of the environmental organization Shelltone Whale Project, located in Cadaqu\u00e9s, is the world's first <\/strong>dedicated to\u2019the study and development of cetacean-friendly research methodologies<\/strong>.<\/h2>\n


Under the direction of Pierre Lavagne de Castellan, this base conducts regular sea campaigns aimed at improving and standardizing cetacean observation protocols to minimize disturbance and avoid any negative impact on animals in their natural habitat.<\/p>\n

These research activities are fundamental to our organization, whose primary objective is the conservation of cetaceans through the promotion of responsible, science-based whale watching practices.<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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OUR METHOD<\/h1> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Our areas of operational research<\/h1>\n

From our base in Cadaqu\u00e9s, we develop and test in real-life conditions protocols to improve whale watching practices<\/strong>, with a clear objective: minimize human impact on cetaceans<\/strong>.<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Approach distances<\/h1>\n

Observation distances cannot be standardized: they vary according to species and behaviour. Large cetaceans generally follow straight trajectories, which enables them to anticipate their movements and maintain a safe distance. Dolphins, on the other hand, are unpredictable. They are often the ones who initiate interaction, notably by coming to play at the bow. In such situations, distance can no longer be controlled. The operator's responsibility then becomes behavioral: maintain a steady speed, stay on a fixed course, and never try to follow or chase animals<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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\n \"Shelltone-whale-dana-point\" \n <\/div>\n \n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Positioning and approach angle<\/h1>\n

Do not approach from the rear<\/strong>. It surprises the animal, disrupts its trajectory and generates stress akin to pursuit. However, this practice is still widespread, notably to provoke the diving of large cetaceans and to obtain photographs of the tail, often perceived as a trophy. We consider these practices incompatible with respectful observation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Controlled lateral approach<\/h1>\n

The recommended approach is lateral and progressive.<\/strong> The boat positions itself on a course parallel to that of the animal, at a distance. It doesn't hide, it doesn't cross the road, it doesn't chase. In this configuration, it is perceived as a neutral element in the environment. It is only after a phase of careful observation - regular swimming, absence of acceleration, stability of the group - that a very gradual approach can be envisaged. This approach is made by slightly deviating course until the animal's comfort distance is reached.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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\n \"Shelltone-whale-monterey\" \n <\/div>\n \n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n \"La-gomera-whalewatching-2\" \n <\/div>\n \n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Positive renunciation<\/h1>\n

Certain situations prohibit any approach: presence of mothers with their young, nurseries, mating phases or scenes of active hunting. In these situations, approaching means disrupting vital behaviour<\/strong>. The captain is faced with a classic tension: respecting the animal or satisfying passenger expectations. We advocate a third way: positive renunciation. This involves clearly explaining the situation, and explaining why not intervening is an act of respect. When this decision is understood, it is not only accepted, it is valued.<\/strong>. Renunciation then becomes positive for the animals, for the operator and for the experiment itself.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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This research forms the basis of the Shelltone Whale method.<\/strong> Project and contribute to the development of whale watching practices that are respectful, non-intrusive and sustainable.<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT CETACEANS<\/span><\/h1>\n

BY CHOOSING THE RIGHT OPERATOR FOR YOUR OUTING\u00a0<\/span><\/h1> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\n \n Discover responsible operators <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n \"Nos-recherches-10\" \n <\/div>\n \n \n <\/div>\n\n
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Pierre Lavagne De Castellan<\/span><\/h1> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Marine bioacoustician - Ethologist - Founder of Shelltone Whale Project<\/span><\/h5> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Since 1981, my passion for cetaceans and my research into inter-species communication with whales have led me to work in habitats where these animals live and reproduce. Over the years, I've watched whale watching evolve from a confidential practice reserved for enthusiasts and scientists in the 80s and 90s, to a mass tourism activity in the 2000s.<\/span><\/p>\n

This uncontrolled development has led to a proliferation of boats in cetacean living areas, with approaches that are often disrespectful, dictated by the need to satisfy tourist expectations. The consequences of this constant harassment quickly became apparent: stress, loss of appetite and libido in the animals, and even abandonment of certain territories.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite the efforts of marine sanctuaries to regulate this activity through charters and training courses, many operators continue to flout the rules, seeking spectacular and intrusive approaches with no real controls.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fortunately, I have met passionate and respectful operators, guided by their love of cetaceans and not by profit. Their knowledge enables them to take a gentle, respectful approach, creating authentic, peaceful encounters with the animals.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shelltone Whale Project aims to list and promote these conscientious operators, offering everyone the chance to choose a harmonious, cetacean-friendly experience at sea. By booking your outings through our organization, you support our mission to promote responsible practices and protect cetaceans from intrusive approaches.<\/span><\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\n \"Pierre-Lavagne-de-Castellan-black-high-res\" \n <\/div>\n \n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

La base de recherche de l\u2019organisation environnementale Shelltone Whale Project, situ\u00e9e \u00e0 Cadaqu\u00e9s, est la premi\u00e8re installation au monde d\u00e9di\u00e9e \u00e0 l\u2019\u00e9tude et au d\u00e9veloppement de m\u00e9thodologies de recherche respectueuses des c\u00e9tac\u00e9s. Sous la direction de Pierre Lavagne de Castellan, cette base m\u00e8ne des campagnes en mer r\u00e9guli\u00e8res visant \u00e0 am\u00e9liorer et \u00e0 normaliser des […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":9694,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-10219","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","has-post-title","has-post-date","has-post-category","has-post-tag","has-post-comment","has-post-author",""],"builder_content":"

La base de recherche de l\u2019organisation environnementale Shelltone Whale Project, situ\u00e9e \u00e0 Cadaqu\u00e9s, est la premi\u00e8re installation au monde <\/strong>d\u00e9di\u00e9e \u00e0 l\u2019\u00e9tude et au d\u00e9veloppement de m\u00e9thodologies de recherche respectueuses des c\u00e9tac\u00e9s<\/strong>.<\/h2>


Sous la direction de Pierre Lavagne de Castellan, cette base m\u00e8ne des campagnes en mer r\u00e9guli\u00e8res visant \u00e0 am\u00e9liorer et \u00e0 normaliser des protocoles d\u2019observation des c\u00e9tac\u00e9s permettant de minimiser les perturbations et d\u2019\u00e9viter tout impact n\u00e9gatif sur les animaux dans leur habitat naturel.<\/p>

Ces activit\u00e9s de recherche sont fondamentales pour notre organisation, dont l\u2019objectif principal est la conservation des c\u00e9tac\u00e9s par la promotion de pratiques de whale watching responsables et fond\u00e9es sur des bases scientifiques.<\/p>\n

NOTRE M\u00c9THODE<\/h1>\n\"20200301_224429\"\n

Nos axes de recherche op\u00e9rationnelle<\/h1>

Depuis notre base de Cadaqu\u00e9s, nous d\u00e9veloppons et testons en conditions r\u00e9elles des protocoles destin\u00e9s \u00e0 am\u00e9liorer les pratiques du whale watching<\/strong>, avec un objectif clair : r\u00e9duire au maximum l\u2019impact humain sur les c\u00e9tac\u00e9s<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Les distances d\u2019approche<\/h1>

Les distances d\u2019observation ne peuvent \u00eatre standardis\u00e9es : elles varient selon les esp\u00e8ces et les comportements. Les grands c\u00e9tac\u00e9s suivent g\u00e9n\u00e9ralement des trajectoires rectilignes, ce qui permet d\u2019anticiper leur d\u00e9placement et de maintenir une distance de s\u00e9curit\u00e9. Les dauphins, en revanche, sont impr\u00e9visibles. Ce sont souvent eux qui initient l\u2019interaction, notamment en venant jouer \u00e0 l\u2019\u00e9trave. Dans ces situations, la distance ne peut plus \u00eatre contr\u00f4l\u00e9e. La responsabilit\u00e9 de l\u2019op\u00e9rateur devient alors comportementale : maintenir une vitesse stable, conserver un cap fixe, et ne jamais chercher \u00e0 suivre ou poursuivre les animaux<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\"Zodiac-Safari_Gray-Whales-0967_Jay-Spring-Photography\"\n\"Shelltone-whale-dana-point\"\n

Positionnement et angle d\u2019approche<\/h1>

L\u2019approche par l\u2019arrie\u0300re est a\u0300 proscrire<\/strong>. Elle surprend l\u2019animal, perturbe sa trajectoire et ge\u0301ne\u0300re un stress assimilable a\u0300 une poursuite. Cette pratique est pourtant encore largement re\u0301pandue, notamment pour provoquer la plonge\u0301e des grands ce\u0301tace\u0301s et obtenir la photographie de la queue, souvent perc\u0327ue comme un trophe\u0301e. Nous conside\u0301rons ces pratiques comme incompatibles avec une observation respectueuse.<\/p>\n

L\u2019approche late\u0301rale contro\u0302le\u0301e<\/h1>

L\u2019approche recommande\u0301e est late\u0301rale et progressive.<\/strong> Le bateau se positionne sur un cap paralle\u0300le a\u0300 celui de l\u2019animal, a\u0300 distance. Il ne se cache pas, ne coupe pas la route, ne poursuit pas. Dans cette configuration, il est perc\u0327u comme un e\u0301le\u0301ment neutre de l\u2019environnement. Ce n\u2019est qu\u2019apre\u0300s une phase d\u2019observation attentive \u2014 nage re\u0301gulie\u0300re, absence d\u2019acce\u0301le\u0301ration, stabilite\u0301 du groupe \u2014 que l\u2019on peut envisager un rapprochement tre\u0300s progressif. Ce rapprochement s\u2019effectue en de\u0301viant le\u0301ge\u0300rement le cap jusqu\u2019a\u0300 atteindre la distance de confort de l\u2019animal.<\/p>\n\"Shelltone-whale-monterey\"\n\"La-gomera-whalewatching-2\"\n

Le renoncement positif<\/h1>

Certaines situations interdisent toute approche : pre\u0301sence de me\u0300res avec leurs petits, nurseries, phases d\u2019accouplement ou sce\u0300nes de chasse active. Dans ces contextes, approcher revient a\u0300 perturber un comportement vital<\/strong>. Le capitaine se retrouve alors face a\u0300 une tension classique : respecter l\u2019animal ou satisfaire les attentes des passagers. Nous de\u0301fendons une troisie\u0300me voie : le renoncement positif. Il consiste a\u0300 expliquer clairement la situation, a\u0300 faire comprendre pourquoi ne pas intervenir est un acte de respect. Lorsqu\u2019elle est comprise, cette de\u0301cision est non seulement accepte\u0301e, mais valorise\u0301e<\/strong>. Le renoncement devient alors positif pour les animaux, pour l\u2019ope\u0301rateur et pour l\u2019expe\u0301rience elle-me\u0302me.<\/p>\n

Ces recherches constituent le socle de la me\u0301thode du Shelltone Whale<\/strong> Project et contribuent a\u0300 faire e\u0301voluer les pratiques vers un whale watching respectueux, non intrusif et durable.<\/h2>\n

AGISSEZ POUR LA PROTECTION DES C\u00c9TAC\u00c9S<\/h1>

EN CHOISISSANT LE BON OP\u00c9RATEUR POUR VOTRE SORTIE\u00a0<\/h1>\n D\u00e9couvrez les op\u00e9rateurs responsables <\/a>\n\"Nos-recherches-10\"\n

Pierre Lavagne De Castellan<\/h1>\n

Bio acousticien marin \u2013 Ethologue \u2013 Fondateur du Shelltone Whale Project<\/h5>\n

Depuis 1981, ma passion pour les c\u00e9tac\u00e9s et mes recherches en communication inter-esp\u00e8ces avec les baleines m'ont conduit \u00e0 travailler dans des habitats o\u00f9 ces animaux vivent et se reproduisent. Au fil des ann\u00e9es, j'ai observ\u00e9 l'\u00e9volution du whale watching, qui est pass\u00e9 d'une pratique confidentielle dans les ann\u00e9es 80 et 90, r\u00e9serv\u00e9e aux passionn\u00e9s et aux scientifiques, \u00e0 une activit\u00e9 touristique de masse d\u00e8s les ann\u00e9es 2000.<\/p>

Ce d\u00e9veloppement incontr\u00f4l\u00e9 a entra\u00een\u00e9 une prolif\u00e9ration des bateaux dans les zones de vie des c\u00e9tac\u00e9s, avec des approches souvent peu respectueuses, dict\u00e9es par la n\u00e9cessit\u00e9 de satisfaire les attentes des touristes. Les cons\u00e9quences de ce harc\u00e8lement constant se sont rapidement manifest\u00e9es : stress, perte d\u2019app\u00e9tit et de libido chez les animaux, et m\u00eame abandon de certains territoires.<\/p>

Malgr\u00e9 les efforts des sanctuaires marins pour r\u00e9guler cette activit\u00e9 \u00e0 travers des chartes et des formations, de nombreux op\u00e9rateurs continuent de ne pas respecter les r\u00e8gles, cherchant des approches spectaculaires et intrusives sans v\u00e9ritable contr\u00f4le.<\/p>

Heureusement, j'ai rencontr\u00e9 des op\u00e9rateurs passionn\u00e9s et respectueux, guid\u00e9s par leur amour des c\u00e9tac\u00e9s et non par le profit. Leurs connaissances permettent des approches douces et respectueuses, cr\u00e9ant des rencontres authentiques et apais\u00e9es avec les animaux.<\/p>

Le Shelltone Whale Project a pour objectif de r\u00e9f\u00e9rencer et de promouvoir ces op\u00e9rateurs consciencieux, offrant ainsi \u00e0 chacun la possibilit\u00e9 de choisir une exp\u00e9rience en mer harmonieuse et respectueuse des c\u00e9tac\u00e9s. En r\u00e9servant vos sorties via notre organisation, vous soutenez notre mission de promouvoir des pratiques responsables et de prot\u00e9ger les c\u00e9tac\u00e9s des approches intrusives.<\/p>\n\"Pierre-Lavagne-de-Castellan-black-high-res\"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10219","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10219"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10219\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10236,"href":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10219\/revisions\/10236"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9694"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10219"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}