2025-2028
EMERGE Project
Elasmobranchs: Mediation, Study and Research for Effective Management
CONTEXT
EMERGE – Elasmobranchs: Mediation, Study and Research for Effective Management is a three-year research and conservation programme led by Célia Bertrand, marine ecologist and doctoral student at UMR MARBEC (University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer), and supported by the Je navigue’RAIE association.
📍 Study area and objectives
The project focuses on the Cerbère-Banyuls Marine Nature Reserve, France’s first marine reserve, which includes a fully protected core reserve.
As part of the reserve expansion project, EMERGE aims to produce data on habitat use and species movements in order to identify important functional areas and contribute to the adaptation of management strategies for elasmobranchs.
🧬 Scientific methods
To track presence and movements, EMERGE combines two complementary approaches:
- Environmental DNA (eDNA): water filtration is carried out to detect the presence of species without capture.
- Acoustic telemetry: individuals are equipped with a surgically implanted transmitter, enabling two years of tracking via a network of underwater receivers.
Tagging is carried out by a technician qualified in surgery, in collaboration with local artisanal fishermen or during targeted dives, particularly for benthic species such as smooth rays and stingrays.
This combined approach improves the representativeness of the species studied and allows the study of potential essential habitats (breeding, feeding and resting areas, etc.).
🤝 Collaborative framework
EMERGE is based on a multi-stakeholder, collaborative model, including:
- Close collaboration with the Cerbère-Banyuls Marine Nature Reserve and the Gulf of Lion Marine Nature Park
- Scientific partnerships with the University of Perpignan Via Domitia and the University of Montpellier
- Integration into the RESMED network (Network of Marine Reserves and Integrated Management of Cross-Border Coastal Areas in the Mediterranean) and the European Tracking Network (ETN)
- Operational coordination with Spanish researchers to ensure cross-border continuity
All the scientific data collected will be used in Célia Bertrand’s thesis and shared with conservation managers and stakeholders.
🗣️ Mediation and awareness raising
Through Je navigue’RAIE, EMERGE bridges the gap between science and society. The project comes to life through:
scientific outreach activities (conferences, exhibitions, school programmes)
audiovisual productions (documentaries, videos, field reports)
public feedbacks on scientific missions and expeditions
This participatory and creative approach aims to promote understanding and citizen engagement in marine conservation.
to date:
Follow the project
👉 Find out about our field missions, markings and news on the Je navigue’RAIE networks.
🎯 Funding: The EMERGE project is supported by the Aether Foundation and Caisse d’Epargne.