French marine conservation drives: dolphin surveys in Mayotte and national plastic‑waste program

Volunteer scientists from the association Ceta’ Maore conducted a participatory research cruise in the lagoon of Mayotte, observing nearly 200 dolphins and documenting individuals by photo‑identification. The effort, supported by an 18‑month IUCN LIFE 2030 grant, expands a database of marine mammals around the French overseas department to monitor populations, movements and threats.

Elodie Jolivet, communications director of the Fondation de la Mer, highlighted the scale of marine plastic pollution, noting that 15–18 tonnes of waste enter the ocean each minute, 85 % of it plastic, affecting about 700 species with 17 % threatened. The foundation’s “Repêchons les Océans” programme aims to change behaviour and push for international regulation of plastic production, building on the 2025 WTO agreement on fishing subsidies that also targets illegal fishing.