Accounting for 97% of the French maritime area and 84% of French biodiversity, the overseas territories are of major significance for France and IRD. With its overseas territories, France is closely involved in other regions of the world such as South America and the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific.
L’Atalante is a multidisciplinary research vessel that serves as a working platform. It set off from Hobart (Tasmania) and sailed the Pacific from February to October 2015 for four scientific campaigns, bringing together between 20 and 30 researchers of different nationalities.
Headed by the Institute since late 2011, the ‘Knowledge of the ecology and habitat of two shark species’ (Charc) programme reported its results in February 2015. This was the first scientific study conducted on Reunion Island focused on bull sharks and it helped identify certain key factors that influence the presence and spatial distribution of these little-known sharks around the island. All the data and results from the Charc programme were handed to the public authorities to help with measures aimed at reducing risks for sea users.
The project entitled ‘Estimation and Prediction of solar radiation by processing satellite images to improve photovoltaic energy penetration rates in Guiana (Solarest)’, run by the University of Guianan and IRD in Cayenne, reported its results in November 2015. Solarest helped develop knowledge and methods using satellite images and mathematical models to estimate the amplitude and dynamics of solar radiation reaching ground level. It has opened the way for the establishment of an expertise hub bringing together stakeholders in research and the private sector to press ahead with solar energy development and to export this expertise to neighbouring countries.