A new expedition in the Arctic
Recognized as a public utility dedicated to the ocean, the Tara Ocean Foundation has been working for 19 years to protect and study it. The new Arctic expedition planned for 2024 will aim to understand the impact of climate change on biodiversity and the adaptation capacities of endemic species.
A new drift ship
For this new project, the foundation will launch the construction of a ship specifically designed for observation and scientific research previous expeditions on board the schooner Tara the ship, already designed for polar drifting on the ice pack, will be a circular habitat trapped in the ice from which scientists will study the Arctic, from its atmosphere to the depths. This polar base will allow a crew of 12 to 20 people to embark for 18-month missions.
This mission is part of France's polar strategy and is supported by the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.
Four major research projects
This polar drifting base was designed in collaboration with naval architect Olivier Petit, who also designed the schooner Tara. It will embark scientists from all over the world until 2045 during polar drifts: climatologists, oceanographers, biologists, physicists, glaciologists, artists, doctors, journalists and sailors.
Four main research areas have been identified:
- The migration of marine organisms to the Arctic and their fate;
- The impact of climate change on the functioning of Arctic ecosystems
- New discoveries in biotechnology and biomedicine, and on the adaptation of life in extreme conditions;
- The mechanisms of climate change in the Arctic.
