Whales and many other marine animals are threatened by the increase in maritime traffic. The growing number of ships crossing the ocean increases the risks of collisions and underwater noise. Yet there is a simple solution: Blue Speeds—and this exhibition is dedicated to it. The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is proposing this simple, science-based solution: limiting commercial vessels to 75% of their maximum design speed. Depending on the type of vessel, such a measure would result in an average speed reduction of 5 to 10%. This modest concession would reduce the risk of collisions with whales, underwater noise pollution, and the carbon footprint of maritime transport. IFAW is working across Europe to secure the adoption of this measure, which would benefit the ocean and everyone. Who is Greg Lecoeur? Originally from Nice, Greg Lecoeur grew up between the mountains of Parc national du Mercantour and the Mediterranean. Inspired by the adventures of Commander Cousteau and fascinated by Le Grand Bleu, he developed a passion for exploration and marine biology from an early age. After studying business, pursuing a career as a promising footballer at OGC Nice, and spending ten years at the helm of his company, he decided to leave everything behind to fulfil his childhood dream: exploring and photographing the ocean. From the Galápagos to Antarctica, he travels the world’s seas to reveal the beauty and fragility of the underwater world. His work, combining aesthetics, emotion, and advocacy, has received numerous international awards, including the title of Nature Photographer of the Year from National Geographic in 2016. His images have appeared in international media outlets such as National Geographic, GEO, BBC Wildlife, and The Washington Post. The author and photographer of six books and founder of the NGO We Are Méditerranée, he has spent more than twenty years documenting and preserving marine biodiversity and raising public awareness about ocean conservation. Some of the photographs on display may be disturbing to some visitors. The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is a global organisation that has worked for more than 50 years to rescue animals, protect wildlife populations, preserve habitats, and advance policies supporting nature and animal welfare. IFAW works alongside scientists, maritime industry stakeholders, and policymakers to protect the ocean and marine wildlife by reducing the threats facing these environments. Its efforts focus on reducing human-caused threats such as commercial whaling, entanglement in fishing gear, underwater noise pollution, and collisions between ships and cetaceans. Through its Blue Speeds campaign, IFAW advocates a simple, practical measure: reducing the speed of commercial vessels to lower the risk of fatal collisions with cetaceans and limit underwater noise. This essential change in maritime practices would help protect the life inhabiting our ocean.
Source: paris.fr — photo: Greg Lecoeur