{"id":7124,"date":"2025-06-05T10:36:35","date_gmt":"2025-06-05T08:36:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/notre-mission-copy\/"},"modified":"2026-04-09T06:31:35","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T04:31:35","slug":"our-research","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/en\/nos-recherches\/","title":{"rendered":"OUR RESEARCH"},"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 facility <\/strong>dedicated tostudying and developing cetacean-respectful 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 RESEARCH<\/h1> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n \"Whalewatching-san-diego-CA\" \n <\/div>\n \n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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A new approach to the relationship between man and cetaceans<\/h1> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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At Shelltone Whale Project, our research is based on a simple conviction: observing cetaceans must never interfere with their freedom. For several years now, we have been developing and testing non-intrusive approach protocols in real-life conditions, based on listening, behavioral reading and absolute respect for the animals in their natural environment. Our aim is not simply to observe. It's to understand, refine and pass on a new way of relating to living things.<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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An open-air laboratory: Cap de Creus<\/h1> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Our research base is located in Cadaqu\u00e9s, in the heart of the Cap de Creus Natural Park. This exceptional environment is home to an underwater canyon plunging to over 2,000 meters, a veritable ecological corridor where numerous marine species cohabit. In this unspoiled territory, we work in rare conditions: totally wild cetaceans low human pressure unaltered natural behaviors This context makes Cap de Creus a unique site in the world to experiment respectful and reliable approaches.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Ongoing, committed research in the field<\/h1> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Our outings at sea are not excursions: they are active observation missions. During each campaign, we analyze: cetacean reactions to human presence optimal distances and angles of approach weak behavioral signals conditions conducive to peaceful interactions For over five years, this regular presence has enabled us to monitor the evolution of the ecosystem and gradually refine our methods.<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Species studied<\/h1> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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The Cap de Creus canyon is home to: the dolphin Tursiops truncatus (inshore) the dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba (offshore) the fin whale the sperm whale These species, with their very different behaviors, provide an ideal study ground for developing adaptive approaches.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Towards an international standard of respect<\/h1> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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One of the major challenges of our research is to standardize best practices. Faced with a rapidly expanding and often invasive whale watching industry, we are working to define methods that are: reproducible, transferable and applicable by operators worldwide. Our results feed directly into the selection of Shelltone Whale Project partners, all of whom are committed to a demanding ethical approach.<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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A philosophy: observe without disturbing<\/h1> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Cetacean watching can - and must - evolve. We advocate an approach in which: encounters are never forced, the animal remains free to interact, and quality takes precedence over proximity. It's under these conditions that the most accurate... and powerful... experiences are born.<\/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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From research to action<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Our Cadaqu\u00e9s base is much more than a study site: it's a center for experimentation, validation and transmission. The methods developed here are then shared with selected operators around the world, contributing to the emergence of an international network of responsible observation.<\/p>\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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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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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-7124","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

NOS RECHERCHES<\/h1>\n\"Whalewatching-san-diego-CA\"\n


Une approche nouvelle de la relation homme\u2013c\u00e9tac\u00e9<\/h1>\n

Au sein du Shelltone Whale Project, nos recherches reposent sur une conviction simple : observer les c\u00e9tac\u00e9s ne doit jamais perturber leur libert\u00e9. Depuis plusieurs ann\u00e9es, nous d\u00e9veloppons et testons en conditions r\u00e9elles des protocoles d\u2019approche non-intrusifs, fond\u00e9s sur l\u2019\u00e9coute, la lecture comportementale et le respect absolu des animaux dans leur environnement naturel. Notre objectif n\u2019est pas seulement d\u2019observer. Il est de comprendre, affiner et transmettre une nouvelle mani\u00e8re d\u2019entrer en relation avec le vivant.<\/p>\n

Un laboratoire \u00e0 ciel ouvert : Cap de Creus<\/h1>\n

Notre base de recherche est situe\u0301e a\u0300 Cadaque\u0301s, au c\u0153ur du parc naturel du Cap de Creus. Cet environnement exceptionnel abrite un canyon sous-marin plongeant a\u0300 plus de 2000 me\u0300tres, ve\u0301ritable corridor e\u0301cologique ou\u0300 cohabitent de nombreuses espe\u0300ces marines. Dans ce territoire encore pre\u0301serve\u0301, nous travaillons dans des conditions rares : ce\u0301tace\u0301s totalement sauvages faible pression humaine comportements naturels non alte\u0301re\u0301s Ce contexte fait de Cap de Creus un site unique au monde pour expe\u0301rimenter des approches respectueuses et fiables.<\/p>\n\"cadaques-dauphins-1\"\n\"GECKO_BLEU_HD\n

Une recherche de terrain, continue et engag\u00e9e<\/h1>\n

Nos sorties en mer ne sont pas des excursions : ce sont des missions d\u2019observation active. \u00c0 chaque campagne, nous analysons : les r\u00e9actions des c\u00e9tac\u00e9s \u00e0 la pr\u00e9sence humaine les distances et angles d\u2019approche optimaux les signaux comportementaux faibles les conditions favorisant des interactions apais\u00e9es Depuis plus de cinq ans, cette pr\u00e9sence r\u00e9guli\u00e8re nous permet de suivre l\u2019\u00e9volution de l\u2019\u00e9cosyst\u00e8me et d\u2019affiner progressivement nos m\u00e9thodes.<\/p>\n

Les esp\u00e8ces \u00e9tudi\u00e9es<\/h1>\n

Le canyon de Cap de Creus accueille notamment : le dauphin Tursiops truncatus (co\u0302tier) le dauphin Stenella coeruleoalba (hauturier) le rorqual commun le cachalot Ces espe\u0300ces, aux comportements tre\u0300s diffe\u0301rents, constituent un terrain d\u2019e\u0301tude ide\u0301al pour de\u0301velopper des approches adaptatives.<\/p>\n\"GRAND\n\"SWP-choose-respect-1\"\n

Vers un standard international de respect<\/h1>\n

L\u2019un des enjeux majeurs de nos recherches est la standardisation des bonnes pratiques. Face \u00e0 une industrie du whale watching en pleine expansion, souvent invasive, nous travaillons \u00e0 d\u00e9finir des m\u00e9thodes : reproductibles transmissibles applicables par des op\u00e9rateurs dans le monde entier Nos r\u00e9sultats alimentent directement la s\u00e9lection des partenaires du Shelltone Whale Project, tous engag\u00e9s dans une d\u00e9marche \u00e9thique exigeante.<\/p>\n

Une philosophie : observer sans d\u00e9ranger<\/h1>\n

L\u2019observation des ce\u0301tace\u0301s peut \u2014 et doit \u2014 e\u0301voluer. Nous de\u0301fendons une approche ou\u0300 : la rencontre n\u2019est jamais force\u0301e l\u2019animal reste libre de l\u2019interaction la qualite\u0301 prime sur la proximite\u0301 C\u2019est dans ces conditions que naissent les expe\u0301riences les plus justes... et les plus puissantes.<\/p>\n\"Reykjavik-iceland-shelltonewhaleproject-1\"\n\"Whalewatching-Bayonne\"\n

De la recherche a\u0300 l\u2019action<\/h1>\n

Notre base de Cadaque\u0301s est bien plus qu\u2019un site d\u2019e\u0301tude : c\u2019est un centre d\u2019expe\u0301rimentation, de validation et de transmission. Les me\u0301thodes de\u0301veloppe\u0301es ici sont ensuite partage\u0301es avec des ope\u0301rateurs se\u0301lectionne\u0301s a\u0300 travers le monde, contribuant a\u0300 faire e\u0301merger un re\u0301seau international d\u2019observation responsable.<\/p>\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\/7124","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=7124"}],"version-history":[{"count":51,"href":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7124\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10235,"href":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7124\/revisions\/10235"}],"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=7124"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}