Orchestrated by Septentrion Environment, POLARIS is a citizen science platform for underwater observation. Through this system, we collect data and share it on the platform. In doing so, we contribute to research and scientific understanding of marine flora and fauna in the Mediterranean. All of this is made possible through citizen science dives.

Why talk about it?

Today, the Yellow Boat has committed to participating in the collection of this data. Thanks to the visit of Carla from Septentrion Environnement, we were able to train our instructors to guide all types of recreational divers in collecting data and for all of them to become POLARIS ambassadors.

How does it work?

It's simple! We organize a dive trip once a month. It's an exploration with a theme depending on the chosen protocol: Coral Alert, Cigesmed for Divers or Fish Visual Census.

Today, we are launching the "Coral Alert" protocol. This is a data collection protocol for monitoring the health of gorgonians in the Mediterranean. To participate, simply contact us.

During this outing, you'll receive a comprehensive one-hour briefing on the "Coral Alert" protocol and access to tools such as various counting plates for gorgonians and monitoring their mortality. During the debriefing with the instructor, you'll be able to enter the collected data into the POLARIS app! Experience life as a scientist for a day.

These species are highly sensitive to warming waters. Organizing these outings several times a year is beneficial to monitor their health status between seasons. These citizen science observations, in addition to scientific studies, help to monitor their well-being. Regular, long-term monitoring allows us to detect potential new mortality events and track the resilience of affected colonies.

For whom?

All recreational divers are welcome to participate in these citizen science projects. Each protocol has its own specific characteristics, and it is important to understand them to assess the accessibility of these citizen observations.
We recommend having a good level of diving (at least PE40) and good control of one's buoyancy to access the POLARIS device, confirm the reliability of the data and not damage the seabed.

Let's all become active participants in underwater protection 🙂