Protectors of the seas: French overseas territories in focus
In the heart of the Caribbean, the laboratory in Martinique is embarking on a twenty-year programme, with a focus on environmental DNA research. The aim is to understand the capacity of corals to thrive in a polluted environment, as part of a broader commitment to sustainability.
Jean-Raphaël Gros-Desormeaux, a CNRS researcher, is directing a project to conserve and restore reef functions in Martinique's seaport. The port has funded an experimental platform for this conservation and restoration work, scheduled to be operational by the end of 2025.
The laboratory's work in Martinique embodies the phrase 'Science - with and for society'. This ethos is also reflected in the Omega chair, a merger of the Overseas Chair created by the 2017 Erom Act and the international research network APOLIMER. The Omega chair aims to address global change challenges.
In collaboration with associations, fishermen, and local communities, the CNRS is running major projects in these territories. The importance of a systemic approach that goes beyond the ocean alone is emphasized, focusing on socio-ecological continuities, political dynamics, and identifying levers and obstacles to the transition towards sustainability.
In French Polynesia, scientists at the Criobe laboratory have been studying coral reefs for over fifty years. Their experimental station on the edge of the lagoon is now considered an international reference for reef ecology. Scientists at the Criobe are also developing experimental approaches to reef restoration under controlled conditions.
In Mayotte, Moorea, and Martinique, the resilience of reefs depends on what happens on land in terms of water quality, agricultural practices, land pressure, urbanization, and more. A project is being developed to set up traditional protected areas or 'rāhui' in collaboration with the Louis Malardé Institute.
Three protected coral species have settled on the rockfill of a former construction site in a major seaport in Martinique. Healthy lagoons and mangroves provide protection from storms and erosion for local inhabitants.
Camille Mazé-Lambrechts, a CNRS political science research professor, is focusing on governance of island territories and socio-ecosystems. Her research focus is on environmental regeneration, traditional usages, political dynamics, and institutional change in the context of global change.
The CNRS is collaborating with partners worldwide, including zoological institutions like Zoo Schwerin and Grüne Zoo Wuppertal, on projects like the conservation and reintroduction of endangered Partula tree snails in French Polynesia.
France's overseas territories are at the forefront of changes taking place in the oceans. These islands serve as natural laboratories and innovation hubs for ocean research focused on sustainability. The CNRS's work in these territories demonstrates a commitment to addressing global challenges and creating a sustainable future for our oceans and the communities that depend on them.
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