Cruise guests in the Kimberley will have a front row view of marine research this month, with scientists joining two expedition voyages aboard Le Soléal to study sea turtles, blue carbon ecosystems and marine plastic pollution.
Researchers from CSIRO, the University of Western Australia, Echos d’Océans and the Sydney Institute of Marine Science/IMOS will take part in the August missions.
Projects will include mapping blue carbon habitats, analysing marine plastics in remote areas and surveying sea turtle nesting sites, contributing data to longer term environmental and conservation research in the region.
The researchers are sailing as part of PONANT Science, which provides access to remote locations that can be difficult to reach through conventional research expeditions.
For passengers, the program adds a scientific element to the voyage, with researchers sharing their work through onboard presentations, informal sessions and day to day interactions.
“I am thrilled that we can welcome researchers in the Kimberley region for the second year, a region that we care very much about as part of our Australian small-ship deployment,” said Deb Corbett, PONANT Explorations CEO, Asia Pacific.
“Enabling new discoveries and giving back to the Australian communities continues to be one of our core objectives and commitments.”
PONANT Science has expanded beyond polar regions since 2024, supporting research missions in locations including the Kimberley, Macquarie Island and French Polynesia.
