Planète Mer is an association operating in the public interest.
Its mission is ” the preservation of marine life and of the human activities which rely on it “. Planète Mer focuses its work on the need to protect marine ecosystems, maintain their proper functioning, and, at the same time, allow human activities exploiting these ecosystems to develop.
Planète Mer’s action involves a double focus on grassroots support along with representation in Brussels. This means, for example, finding practical, useful and workable solutions for fishermen that are consistent with the Common Fisheries Policy, which is decided in Brussels. We firmly believe that the fishing industry of tomorrow will be determined in the field, so our action is based on pilot projects that can be replicated when needed.
Fishing is therefore a priority area in our work :
- With the French Norway Lobster Fishery in the Gulf of Gascogne (approx. 250 vessels). Planète Mer has formally entered into agreement on an improvement action programme with AGLIA (Association du Grand Littoral Atlantique, or Atlantic Coast Association, which includes the 4 French regions with Atlantic coastlines). The aim of this programme is to build on the work already undertaken by fishermen, and specifically to :
(1) improve the selectivity of fishing gear,
(2) reduce the mortality rate of jettisoned by-catch and,
(3) test new gear, such as pot fishing, in order to lay better foundations for fishing in the future.
This improvement programme began in 2009 and will run until 2011. Planète Mer provides financial support, participates in technical committees and prepares communication documents to publicize this improvement process. - In the context of the French National Stakeholder Conference for the Sea (Grenelle de la Mer) and its implementation, a new “Fisheries-based” management approach called UEGC (Concerted Exploitation and Management Unit) is to be tested in 6 pilot fisheries. Planète Mer supports this approach and intends to make a significant contribution to the implementation of this strategy.
- In support of the Mr Goodfish project, which was initiated by Nausicaa, and is being implemented by 3 major European Aquariums. Planète Mer is providing its expertise and commited partnership to this useful and constructive initiative.
We also support small-scale coastal fishing in tropical zones through the restoration of natural sites. Mangrove forests are important centres of biodiversity, they provide a barrier to tropical storms and also act as mechanical and biological filters. Mangroves are also an important food-production resource for local communities.
Restoring them is therefore Planete Mer’s core mission. In addition, it has been recognised that mangroves constitute a carbon sink, making their restoration even more important. It is possible, moreover, to quantify their sink effect. The replantation of 450 ha out of 600 ha that will be restored, absorbs the equivalent of a year’s carbon emissions by 1000 europeans.Awareness raising actions are currently under examination.
Planete Mer is also a partner in the film Océans produced by Jacques Perrin and Jacques Cluzaud.
