Classed vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, the marine turtles represent one of the emblematic species of a declining worldwide bio diversity.

They constitute a major priority in terms of sustainable development of the natural resources of the regions that hold them.

Their preservation depends upon our comprehension of their way of life and their needs, whether this be in terms of space or feeding resources.

In the framework of her PhD at the Reunion Island University, Katia Ballorian takes us with her and the NCSR laboratories in Strasbourg, to the sloping coral reefs of Reunion Island. Her mission is to complete the still rather fragmented knowledge on the feeding behavior of the Green Turtles living along the coastline of Reunion Island.

Katia will be helped in her project by researchers, students and technicians of the IPHC of the NCSR in Strasbourg, as well as by; Kélonia, IFREMER, the laboratory of Marine Ecology of Reunion Island University and the Marine Reserve.

The Run Sea Science project funded by the European Union and implemented by IRD relied on four main activities: improving physical abilities, improving human capacity, exchange of experience with creating a network of researchers and research network participation through the organization of a seminar on Aquaculture and the organization of the 6th congress WIOMSA.

This documentary shows the four main lines of research developed by the RUN Sea Science partners of the study of biodiversity through genetics and aquaculture to biodiversity conservation through the study of behavior through the method of marking and ocean acidification under surveillance.

Field work, sampling, laboratory work, analysis of results, the activities of researchers succeed on Reunion coasts and research center partners.

This project particularly original in its design, has demonstrated that public and private research teams related to the marine world Reunion working together. Better, that their cooperation on the many research themes developed with the support of RUN Sea Science brought a definite plus to the progress of work.

Improving the material and human capacity Reunion research institutions, disseminating their work and by creating a network of researchers and Indian Ocean Europe, the RUN Sea Science project will have demonstrated the importance of the establishment of the Regional Maritime Cluster in the meeting.

Over the last few years, the demand for sea cucumbers from Asian countries has literally exploded, obliging the manufacturers to produce more and more. In many producing countries, the number of sea cucumbers has diminished noticeably. Madagascar is not an exception to that rule. Helped by International organisms, the IHSM researchers have found a way of reproducing the animals all year round, bringing big hopes to the aquaculture of sea cucumbers. Will the implantation of sea ranches in the coastal villages diminish the number of fishermen, thus saving the Holothuriculture ?

That is what is at stake in this challenge.

The exposure of the southwest islands of the Indian Ocean near Africa, explains their extreme sensitivity to infectious processes in particular epidemic.

Following the chikungunya epidemic crisis in 2006, the CRVOI, Centre for Research and Eve on emerging diseases in the Indian Ocean, was created to understand the complexity of emerging infectious phenomenon. Today is part of the Run Emerge program that was given CRVOI the development of this systemic research integrating human, pathogens, animal reservoirs and potential vectors.

Is it the pristine white beaches of the beautiful Great Glorious attracts like a magnet, so many green turtles, or absolute isolation of this archipelago became, like other scattered islands, a nature reserve? The fact remains, year after year, steadfast, these marine reptiles, protected today, come back in numbers to breed there. To better understand this phenomenon of migration, of Montpellier CNRS partner for the event at the University of Pisa, Ifremer and Kélonia, continuing his research in the field. The mystery of the green turtles navigation will he finally lifted ?

Europa previous survey missions have never really led researchers to work on his mangrove still present today many questions. The multidisciplinary mission in 2006 will strive to unravel the mystery that is still both in its operation and the wildlife it supports.

Matthieu Lecorre researcher at the ECOMAR laboratory of the University of Reunion Island back on the small island of Lys in the archipelago of the Glorieuses. Accompanied by two students, he just continue working are launched a year earlier. Measure the result of rodent extermination campaign, continue levies on terns present in large numbers on site, tasks abound.

Université de La Réunion

This documentary takes us on a long journey to the islands of the western Indian Ocean. It highlights the establishment and functioning of marine protected areas, a concept initiated by the IOC since 2006.

From Mauritius to Reunion, passing through Madagascar, the Comoros or the Seychelles, discover how local people are trying to continue their activities while preserving these endangered marine ecosystems.

This work of supervision, education and empowerment with project participants and users of these MPAs will continue to secure the resources and to embark on a path of sustainable development. This is the challenge of the project led by the World Wide Fund (WWF), mandated by the IOC in collaboration with various agencies of the countries of the region.

Afin d'imager la structure du manteau supérieur et inférieur sous La Réunion, des stations sismologiques ont été déployées sur une superficie de 2000x2000 km2 centrée sur La Réunion. A l'aide du navire océanographique Marion Dufresne, 57 stations de fond de mer ont été déposées autour de La Réunion et sur les rides centrale et sud-ouest indienne, pour une durée d'une année (Oct. 2012 à Oct. 2013).

Ce documentaire de 51 minutes illustre ce travail de recherche scientifique.