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Delmoges: Better understanding of accidental dolphin catches in the Bay of Biscay in order to reduce them

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The Delmoges (DELphinus MOuvements GEStion) scientific project, in which our colleague Amélia VIRICEL-PANTE participated, has been completed and its final reports are available here.
This interdisciplinary project, launched in 2022, aimed to study, for the first time, the mechanisms behind the accidental capture of common dolphins in the Bay of Biscay and to propose solutions to reconcile fishing and the protection of common dolphins.
The project generated a wealth of new knowledge, particularly on the ecology of dolphins and on measuring and mapping the risk of capture at different spatial and temporal scales.

The main results of the Delmoges project are:
1/ Causes of the increase in catches since 2016: Delmoges has shown that warming waters are concentrating dolphin prey (small pelagic fish) near the coast, attracting them to winter fishing grounds. These dolphins, which were generally in good health at the time of their death, are caught when actively hunting anchovies and sardines.
2/ Measurement and mapping of the risk of capture: Delmoges mapped the risk of dolphin capture by cross-referencing fishing data and observations at sea for the areas, periods and types of fishing for which this data was available. This work reveals that the geographical co-occurrence of dolphins, their prey and fishing gear is variable, but sometimes significant. Certain shallow coastal areas appear to be particularly at risk in winter when certain types of prey are present.
3/ Management and remediation measures: issues of effectiveness and acceptability. Since 2024, France has introduced temporary closures of fishing areas for risky gear. This measure, which is effective in the short term but costly in economic and social terms, calls for discussion and evaluation of alternative options. Delmoges has brought new perspectives through various scenarios, including technological approaches, limitations and changes in fishing strategies, and incentive measures.
The results of this research have been widely reported in the press and by the institutions involved in the project:

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AI for Marine Science: A seminar for young researchers to rethink Marine Science research

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On 24 and 25 November 2025, the Semlalia Faculty of Sciences (FSSM) at Cadi Ayyad University hosted an innovative seminar entitled ‘Contributions of AI to Marine Sciences’. Organised by the Edge Young Associated Team (JEAI), which brings together researchers from the FSSM, ESTE Essaouira, the Safi Multidisciplinary Faculty and the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), this event combined scientific expertise and interdisciplinary dynamics.
With a majority of doctoral students in attendance, this seminar demonstrated that the new generation of scientists is committed to advancing marine science through artificial intelligence.
With more than 30 participants, this seminar proved that:

  • AI could play an important role in responding to the challenges of marine science (biodiversity, pollution, resource management).
  • Young Moroccan and French researchers are dynamic and are conducting research with concrete applications (monitoring coral reefs, modelling
    species trajectories, automated legal tools).
  • Interdisciplinarity is key: computer scientists, biologists and lawyers collaborated to rethink marine science research.

Before the workshop, a networking day was organised to facilitate exchanges between participants. After the seminar, a public conference was held at ESTE in Essaouira to present the seminar’s findings and generate discussions with students on the different ways of using AI in marine science research.

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CytoMerTrie 2, 100 cell enthusiasts attend seminar in Plouzané

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On Thursday, 14 October 2025, the CytoMERtrie 2 seminar was held at IUEM (Plouzané), organised by the CYTOMER platforms of LEMAR (Christophe Lambert & Nelly Le Goïc) and HYPERION of LBAI (Nadège Marec & Pierre Pochard), following the resounding success of the first seminar held in 2022. Thanks to seven presentations by speakers from Finistère and Marseille, the diversity and evolution of flow cytometry analysis techniques in the marine environment were outlined. Particular focus was placed on new techniques and applications of flow cytometry in our fields.

More than 100 people attended the seminar, about half of them remotely, which made it possible to broadcast it throughout France.

This half-day seminar provided an opportunity to appreciate the evolving potential of flow cytometry for the study of marine models and ecosystems, to expand into other fields, and to gain a better understanding of the strengths present in Finistère in terms of available technologies and specific expertise.

There is no doubt that this 2nd CytoMERtrie seminar will lead to future collaborations and projects aimed at understanding how marine ecosystems function in a changing and constrained environment, as we await the next meeting.

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ClimClam workshop at the SYMPA international conference in Arcachon

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The first edition of the SYMPA international conference on Japanese and European clams was held in Arcachon from 8 to 10 September 2025, bringing together around 150 scientists from several countries working on these two species. The conference was organised around five thematic sessions:

  1. Life history traits;
  2. Evolutionary and functional processes;
  3. Biotic interactions;
  4. Habitat and environmental factors;
  5. Fishing and management: from species to ecosystem

This event was an opportunity for the ClimClam project to bring together all its partners (UBO, CNRS, SB Roscoff, Univ. Padova, SATMAR) and organise a workshop to review the results and prospects of the project, which is now entering its final year. Christine Paillard, Gwenaëlle Le Blay, Stéphanie Madec, Mélody Lebrun and Morgane Le Noc represented LEMAR at the event.

The SYMPA international conference helped to consolidate collaborations between European, African and Asian researchers and gave rise to the ambition of creating an international network dedicated to clams, which will enable the research initiated by the ClimClam IRP to be continued

 

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Natalia LLOPIS MONFERRER receives the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation Field Biology Award

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This summer, the Maxwell Hanrahan Foundation awarded its prestigious field biology prizes to five international researchers. Among the winners, we were delighted to see the name of Natalia Llopis Monferrer!

Natalia completed her thesis at LEMAR under the supervision of Paul Tréguer, with guidance from Aude Leynaert and Fabrice Not (SB Roscoff). Her doctoral work focused on rhizaria and their contribution to the global silicon cycle. After her thesis, Natalia completed a first post-doctorate at LEMAR before obtaining a Marie Curie grant to continue her research between the Station Biologique de Roscoff and MBARI in the USA.

The Foundation’s biology prizes, worth $100,000, “recognize and encourage researchers whose work has been under-appreciated, is at an early career or critical stage and demonstrates curiosity in field-based research. The awards support individual scientists, elevate their diverse perspectives and enable them to commit time to the observation and experimentation that help us better understand the world around us.”

Congratulations to Natalia and, of course, to the other winners!

 

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