PURE OCEAN EVENTS

#PureOceanLoverChallenge: 52 weeks for 52 sporting challenges

 

Beyond funding research projects, Pure Ocean organizes sports challenges to create awareness and mobilize civil society. The Pure Ocean Lover Challenge, inspired by the Ice Bucket Challenge, invites people to actively participate in a fun campaign to safeguard the oceans.

Every week, individuals or companies, will take up a sporting challenge: 1, 2, 3 or 5 km, individually or as a team, swimming, running, rowing, kitesurfing, paddling or sailing. Each participant will make a video of their feat and share it on social networks. They will also make a donation to help finance projects supported by Pure Ocean.

This is the first step towards creating Pure Ocean Lover Clubs around the world, a concept that we will be developing in order to demultiply the number of committed and active ocean lovers – Pure Ocean Lovers, for life !

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PURE OCEAN CALL FOR PROJECTS 2018

65 applications received for the first Pure Ocean Call for Projects

 

Launched in April 2018, the first Pure Ocean Call for Projects was a significant milestone for the fund. We received 65 projects from 20 different countries, of which 33% were from France. We also received projects from : 13% UK, 13% USA, 6% Australia, 3% Canada and 2% New Zealand, as well as projects from European countries: Spain and Italy 6%, Belgium and Austria 2%. 12% of proposals came from other countries, including several developing nations, proving that the call for projects succeeded in reaching researchers around the world.

The distribution in the world’s oceans was quite homogeneous:
– Although a majority of projects, 36%, were in the Atlantic Ocean, this concerns many latitudes and various habitat types,
– around 20% in the Pacific Ocean
– 20% in the Indian Ocean
– 13% for the Mediterranean
– Arctic and Antarctic polar zones account for 8% of projects.

The call for projects stipulated three priority themes :  
1. Observe and measure changes in marine life, physico-chemical characteristics and their impacts on global dynamics,
2. Sustainable use of marine resources,
3. Identify techniques to restore ecosystems and biodiversity.

 

Projects also needed to take into account four key criteria :
• Co-construction – Reflecting interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge sharing among various stakeholders (research institutes, non-governmental organizations, public and private sectors)
• Engagement – Demonstrate passion and determination while bringing together all adequate and realistic resources to effectively change the world.
• Innovation – Improving our current way of interacting with the planet by developing new visions/techniques/methods, three types of innovation will be considered: technological, social and ecological (inspired by Nature).
• Impact – correspond to one or more of the priority themes described above with measurable and sustainable impacts in the short / medium / long term.

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PURE OCEAN SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE

Our Scientific Committee, a mark of credibility and committment   

 

Pure Ocean’s wish was to convene an independent & international Scientific Committee that would select the projects to be supported by the fund. The scientific credibility of the future foundation depended on it. In December 2017, this was accomplished! Distinguished scientists have honoured us by joining Pure Ocean. 

From France:
– Françoise Gaill, research director emeritus of the CNRS and Scientific committee coordinator of the Ocean & Climate Platform ;
– Gilles Boeuf, former president of the MNHN, President of the scientific board of the French Agency for Biodiversity & talented lecturer ;

From Morocco: Abdelmalek Faraj, CEO of the National Institute of Halieutic Research

From the USA: Anna Zivian, Senior Research Fellow at Ocean Conservancy, specialist in the scientific and political aspects of ocean climate change ;

From India: Kartik Shanker, faculty member of of the Indian Institute of Science (Bangalore), leading specialist of sea turtles.

Oceanography, biodiversity, environmental policy & climate change: Pure Ocean can rely on the expertise of our 5 reknowned ocean specialists and on the support of Fabien Gilot, Olympic and World champion, President of the French National Sport Council and committed Ambassador!

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PURE OCEAN TEAM

With our three new recruits, Pure Ocean has consolidated its team and is now under full sail!

From left to right: Thomas, Gwen, Deborah, Laura, Stephanie

Here’s a little introduction to the team:

Laura Delaye is in charge of general coordination of the fund. After a master’s degree in Environmental Science and several experiences in sustainable development, Laura joined Pure Ocean at the beginning of the adventure. Surfer, runner & nature lover.

Favorite spot : San Ciprianu, near Porto Vecchio, Corsica

 

Deborah Pardo, PhD in Population Ecology, lecturer and enthusiastic scientist, is responsible for international calls for projects and coordination with the Scientific Committee. Deborah worked previously at the British Antarctic Survey in Cambridge on the impact of climate change and fishing on the decline of albatross populations. She has participated in numerous missions in Antarctica. Multi-tasker, energetic & passionate.

Favorite spot : Sub-Antarctic Islands.  

 

In December, Pure Ocean welcomed Gwen Lechat, donor relations specialist, and Stephanie Lerner, seasoned communications specialist.

Gwen is in charge of sponsorship and fundraising actions. A professional life dedicated to marketing and communication of general interest naturally led Gwen to mobilize her skills at the service of her first love: the oceans. Originally from Brittany, Gwen spent her childhood with a view on the fabulous Glénan Islands. Eco-warrior, optimist & determined.

Favorite spot: Pointe de Kersécol, Finistère


Stephanie manages external communications and public relations at Pure Ocean. Franco-American, she spent her childhood travelling between West Africa and the US. After a long career in art direction and advertising, she decided to use her skills to contribute to helping save the oceans.Beach debris artist, world citizen, ocean lover. 

Favorite spot: Aghia Theodoti, Ios Island, Cyclades.


In March, Thomas de Williencourt was appointed Director of Pure Ocean. With his past experience in public interest initiatives, notably in apiculture and sustainable agriculture, Thomas will be developping partnerships with key players who are mobilized on ocean health and preservation, at local, national and international levels. A committed entrepreneur, Thomas is building an international network of like-minded business people – the «Pure Ocean Lovers» – entrepreneurs who love their planet and want to take action too. Fast-moving, fast-thinking, eco-driven.

Favorite spot:  Malmousque in Marseille & Golfe du Morbihan

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Pure Ocean announces 2018 Call for Projects award winners

Friday, April 5, Pure Ocean announced the 9 winning projects that will receive financial support following the 2018 call for projects. We received 65 applications from 21 countries and over 300 scientists. We would like to thank all the applicants for the high quality of the proposals submitted.

Pure Ocean supports projects that have the potential to open up new avenues of action:
1. Observe and measure changes in marine life, physico-chemical characteristics and their impacts on global dynamics,
2. Sustainable use of marine resources,
3. Identify techniques to restore ecosystems and biodiversity.

Several other selection criteria were taken into account, such as the level of co-construction, innovation, team commitment and the long-term impact of the project. Finally, projects needed to be co-funded by at least one other organization.
After an in-depth study by the Scientific Committee of Pure Ocean, followed by a risk and budget analysis, nine projects were selected to receive funding.

Pure Ocean will accompany the grantees throughout the development of the projects and will communicate regularly on the progress of these innovative and exciting projects.

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Thomas de Williencourt appointed Director of Pure Ocean

Founder of the Epicurien Provence Fund, an endowment fund dedicated to sustainable food and former director of the French Observatory of Apidology, association for the safeguarding of bees, Thomas has been engaged for many years in actions that defend public interests. He has accompanied many programs that have had an international influence for the protection of our planet, such as the operation «Flowers for bees», educating citizens on the importance of safeguarding these pollinating insects.

Today, Thomas is taking on a new challenge for the planet, moving from land to sea and serving the preservation of the oceans. As director of Pure Ocean, he will accompany the development of the fund, so necessary in the face of the multiple threats that weigh on our oceans.

With his past experience, Thomas will develop partnerships with other key players who are mobilized on the subject, at local, national and international levels. At the same time, he will recruit and lead an international network of committed entrepreneurs – the «Pure Ocean Lovers» – entrepreneurs who love their planet and want to take action too. This will be achieved through the multiplication of conferences, awareness-raising events and other initiatives to reach the largest number of citizens.

«Researchers around the world are working to find solutions, we need to provide them with the financial means to succeed. That’s why I decided to join the Pure Ocean team »

© Cyril Chauvin

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Extreme sporting challenges to meet today’s environmental challenges

Brice Bonneviale, a confirmed and committed athlete, is preparing to take up the Enduroman challenge between 21 and 27 June 2019. This triathlon of the extreme, starts at Marble Arch in London and ends at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, with three separate challenges: • 140km run from London to Dover, • Swimming across the Channel, • 290km road cycling between Calais and Paris. Brice Bonneviale and his dream team want to contribute to creating awareness on environmental issues. It is therefore natural that they have rallied to the cause of the Pure Ocean Fund. Pure Ocean aims to alert the publicto the status of endangered ecosystems and to highlight solutions to protect them through racing and sporting challenges. The adventure of Brice Bonneviale is the first in a series of events dubbed “Race for Pure Ocean”.

 

http://www.raceforpureocean.org/fr/

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It’s #GivingTuesday and the Pure Ocean Fund needs you!

Please consider making a donation to help us support innovative projects that will contribute to better understand the oceans, to protect them and to sustainably use their ressources.
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Pure Ocean Summit 2018

We are happy to share with you the highlights of our first Pure Ocean Summit.

On April 26th this year, scheduled around the time of the Seafood Expo Global in Brussels (the largest international trade fair in the seafood sector), Pure Ocean organized an encounter between researchers and key business players to better understand the issues and means available to save our oceans.

During a morning of exchanges and collaboration, the “Pure Ocean Summit” brought together Philippe Cury (IRD), Marie-Alexandrine Sicre (LOCEAN), project leaders from the Ocean Innovation Tour and economic players.

 

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Seafoodia, sponsor of Pure Ocean and historical partner of Défi de Monte Cristo dived into the water on June 23th and 24th!

Created in 1999, the Défi Monte-Cristo is  the most important open-water swim in the Mediterranean Sea!

On this occasion, the passionate and committed “Seafoodia” team decided to combine the mythical escape of Edmond Dantès with a quest for meaning to save our oceans and swam for Pure Ocean.

You can take part in the adventure too! Help us support our projects!

The funds raised will be paid in full to the applied research projects selected by the Scientific Committee of Pure Ocean.

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