{"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":"2026-08-24T04:15:44","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T02:15:44","slug":"recherches","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/fr\/research\/","title":{"rendered":"Nos recherches"},"content":{"rendered":"\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 <\/strong>d\u00e9di\u00e9e \u00e0 l\u2019\u00e9tude et au d\u00e9veloppement de m\u00e9thodologies de recherche respectueuses des c\u00e9tac\u00e9s<\/strong>.<\/h2>\n


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>\n

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> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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

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Un laboratoire \u00e0 ciel ouvert : Le canyon sous marin de Lacaze-Duthiers<\/h1> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Notre centre de recherche est situ\u00e9 \u00e0 Cadaqu\u00e9s, au c\u0153ur du parc naturel du Cap de Creus. Cet environnement exceptionnel nous offre un acc\u00e8s direct et rapide \u00e0 un canyon sous-marin qui plonge \u00e0 plus de 2 000 m\u00e8tres de profondeur \u2014 le canyon de Lacaze-Duthiers \u2014, v\u00e9ritable corridor \u00e9cologique o\u00f9 cohabitent de nombreuses esp\u00e8ces marines.<\/p>\n

Le canyon de Lacaze-Duthiers s'\u00e9tend parall\u00e8lement au canyon du Cap de Creus, du c\u00f4t\u00e9 espagnol, avec lequel il partage une fronti\u00e8re. Au cours de six ann\u00e9es de travail de terrain continu, nous avons observ\u00e9 une pr\u00e9sence nettement plus importante de c\u00e9tac\u00e9s du c\u00f4t\u00e9 fran\u00e7ais, une diff\u00e9rence que nous attribuons \u00e0 une pression de p\u00eache nettement moindre dans cette zone par rapport \u00e0 l\u2019activit\u00e9 intensive des flottes de p\u00eache espagnoles op\u00e9rant au d\u00e9part de Llan\u00e7\u00e0, Port de la Selva et Roses. Une pression de p\u00eache moindre laisse davantage de poissons sur place \u2014 et c'est l\u00e0 que les c\u00e9tac\u00e9s se rassemblent.<\/p>\n

Dans cette r\u00e9gion encore intacte, nous travaillons dans des conditions exceptionnelles : des c\u00e9tac\u00e9s en totale libert\u00e9, un impact humain minime et des comportements naturels inchang\u00e9s. Ce contexte fait de ce canyon un site unique au monde pour tester des approches respectueuses.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Une recherche de terrain, continue et engag\u00e9e<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Nous y effectuons 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> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Les esp\u00e8ces \u00e9tudi\u00e9es<\/h1> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Le canyon de Lacaze-Duthiers abrite deux esp\u00e8ces pr\u00e9sentes toute l'ann\u00e9e : le grand dauphin (Tursiops truncatus, en eaux c\u00f4ti\u00e8res) et le dauphin ray\u00e9 (Stenella coeruleoalba, au large). Le canyon est \u00e9galement visit\u00e9 occasionnellement par le cachalot (Physeter macrocephalus), le rorqual commun (Balaenoptera physalus), le globic\u00e9phale \u00e0 nageoires longues (Globicephala melas), le dauphin de Risso (Grampus griseus), les baleines \u00e0 bec et le petit rorqual (Balaenoptera acutorostrata). Ces esp\u00e8ces, qui pr\u00e9sentent des comportements et des sch\u00e9mas de pr\u00e9sence tr\u00e8s diff\u00e9rents, offrent un cadre de recherche id\u00e9al pour le d\u00e9veloppement d\u2019approches adaptatives.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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

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Une philosophie : observer sans d\u00e9ranger<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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L\u2019observation des c\u00e9tac\u00e9s peut \u2014 et doit \u2014 \u00e9voluer. Nous d\u00e9fendons une approche o\u00f9 : la rencontre n\u2019est jamais forc\u00e9e l\u2019animal reste libre de l\u2019interaction la qualit\u00e9 prime sur la proximit\u00e9 C\u2019est dans ces conditions que naissent les exp\u00e9riences les plus justes\u2026 et les plus puissantes.<\/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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De la recherche \u00e0 l\u2019action<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Notre base de Cadaqu\u00e9s est bien plus qu\u2019un site d\u2019\u00e9tude : c\u2019est un centre d\u2019exp\u00e9rimentation, de validation et de transmission. Les m\u00e9thodes d\u00e9velopp\u00e9es ici sont ensuite partag\u00e9es avec des op\u00e9rateurs s\u00e9lectionn\u00e9s \u00e0 travers le monde, contribuant \u00e0 faire \u00e9merger un r\u00e9seau international d\u2019observation responsable.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Rejoignez notre \u00e9quipe de recherche en mer, \u00e0 Cadaqu\u00e9s<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Les sorties que nous proposons au d\u00e9part de Cadaqu\u00e9s ne sont pas de simples excursions : il s'agit de sorties sur le terrain, encadr\u00e9es par un membre de l'\u00e9quipe Shelltone Whale Project. Chaque sortie constitue un test en conditions r\u00e9elles, qui nous permet d'affiner les protocoles d'approche que nous transmettons ensuite aux op\u00e9rateurs d'observation des baleines du monde entier.<\/p>\n

En nous rejoignant, vous ne vous contentez pas de participer \u00e0 une observation : vous contribuez, \u00e0 votre mani\u00e8re, \u00e0 l'\u00e9laboration des m\u00e9thodes m\u00eames qui d\u00e9finissent une approche respectueuse des c\u00e9tac\u00e9s.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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

EN CHOISISSANT LE BON OP\u00c9RATEUR POUR VOTRE SORTIE<\/h1> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\n \n D\u00e9couvrez les op\u00e9rateurs responsables <\/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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Bio acousticien marin \u2013 Ethologue \u2013 Fondateur du Shelltone Whale Project<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Depuis 1981, ma passion pour les c\u00e9tac\u00e9s et mes recherches en communication inter-esp\u00e8ces avec les baleines m\u2019ont conduit \u00e0 travailler dans des habitats o\u00f9 ces animaux vivent et se reproduisent. Au fil des ann\u00e9es, j\u2019ai observ\u00e9 l\u2019\u00e9volution du whale watching, qui est pass\u00e9 d\u2019une 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>\n

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>\n

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>\n

Heureusement, j\u2019ai 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>\n

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<\/div>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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The research base of the environmental organization Shelltone Whale Project, located in Cadaqu\u00e9s, is the world\u2019s first facility dedicated to the study and development of cetacean-friendly research methodologies. 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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":11330,"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":"

The research base of the environmental organization Shelltone Whale Project, located in Cadaqu\u00e9s, is the world\u2019s first facility<\/strong> dedicated to the study and development of cetacean-friendly research methodologies<\/strong>.<\/h2>


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>

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>\n

OUR RESEARCH<\/h1>\n\"\"\n

A new approach to the relationship between man and cetaceans<\/h1>\n

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>\n

An Open-Air Laboratory: The Lacaze-Duthiers Underwater Canyon<\/h1>\n

Our research base is located in Cadaqu\u00e9s, in the heart of the Cap de Creus Natural Park. This exceptional environment provides us with direct and rapid access to an underwater canyon that plunges to a depth of more than 2,000 meters\u2014the Lacaze-Duthiers Canyon\u2014a true ecological corridor where numerous marine species coexist.<\/p>

The Lacaze-Duthiers Canyon runs parallel to, and shares a boundary with, the Cap de Creus Canyon on the Spanish side. Over six years of continuous fieldwork, we have observed markedly higher cetacean presence on the French side, a difference we attribute to significantly lower fishing pressure there compared to the intensive activity of Spanish fishing fleets operating out of Llan\u00e7\u00e0, Port de la Selva and Roses. Lower fishing pressure leaves more fish behind \u2014 and that's where the cetaceans gather.<\/p>

In this still-pristine area, we work under rare conditions: completely wild cetaceans, minimal human impact, and unaltered natural behaviors. This context makes this canyon a site unlike any other in the world for testing respectful approaches.<\/p>\n\"\"\n\"\"\n

Ongoing, committed research in the field<\/h1>\n

We conduct active observation missions there. During each field campaign, we analyze: the cetaceans\u2019 reactions to human presence; optimal approach distances and angles; subtle behavioral cues; and conditions that foster peaceful interactions. For more than five years, this regular presence has allowed us to monitor changes in the ecosystem and gradually refine our methods.<\/p>\n

Species studied<\/h1>\n

The Lacaze-Duthiers Canyon is home to two year-round resident species: the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus, coastal) and the striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba, offshore). The canyon is also visited occasionally by the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), the long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas), Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus), beaked whales, and the minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata). These species, which exhibit very different behaviors and patterns of presence, provide an ideal research setting for developing adaptive approaches.<\/p>\n\"\"\n\"Choose\n

Towards an international standard of respect<\/h1>\n

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>\n

A philosophy: observe without disturbing<\/h1>\n

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\"\"\n\"\"\n

From research to action<\/h1>\n

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

Join our research team at sea, in Cadaqu\u00e9s<\/h1>\n

The outings we offer from Cadaqu\u00e9s are not simple excursions: they are field outings, led by a member of the Shelltone Whale Project team. Each outing is a real-world test, allowing us to refine the approach protocols we then pass on to whale-watching operators around the world.<\/p>

By joining us, you're not just taking part in an observation \u2014 you're contributing, in your own way, to the development of the very methods that define a respectful approach to cetaceans.<\/p>\n Join a research outing in Cadaqu\u00e9s <\/a>\n\"\"\n

TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT CETACEANS<\/h1>

BY CHOOSING THE RIGHT OPERATOR FOR YOUR OUTING<\/h1>\n Discover responsible operators <\/a>\n\"\"\n

Pierre Lavagne De Castellan<\/h1>\n

Marine bioacoustician - Ethologist - Founder of Shelltone Whale Project<\/h5>\n

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.<\/p>

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.<\/p>

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.<\/p>

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.<\/p>

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.<\/p>\n\"\"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7124","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7124"}],"version-history":[{"count":85,"href":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7124\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12453,"href":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7124\/revisions\/12453"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11330"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7124"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}