Ethics & the environment

The ABYSSA ethics committee

We set up ABYSSA to build up our knowledge of the oceans in the interests of science, as well as for the benefit of economic and government interests, since such knowledge is essential for making informed decisions. This implies a need to ensure that the resources to be found in the deep oceans are considered in light of their environmental sensitivity.

It is obvious to oceanographers that there are many, many gaps in our knowledge. This applies in all areas of oceanographic and environmental study, including geosciences, the physical and chemical quality of seawater, hydrodynamics, natural resources and biodiversity.

It also means that the data gathered during sea expeditions could provide completely new information about the deep ocean environments, the use of which, whether for scientific or industrial purposes, must be authorised and strictly regulated. As the founders of ABYSSA, we are deeply attached to the principles of sustainable development. Our objective is to ensure that economic development respects and protects both the natural environment and societal concerns. To assist us in this, we decided to set up an Ethics Committee.

The purpose of the Ethics Committee

To assist all members of the company in our discussions regarding the right conduct, attitude and behaviour to adopt in order to apply the principles of sustainable development in all our business, technical and scientific activities.

The Ethics Committee will thus discuss issues raised by the company’s practices and activities, in relation to:

The principles governing the conduct of individual members of the company, as well as corporate governance procedures;
The reasons used to justify exploratory campaigns and the various techniques used during such campaigns;
The social and environmental consequences of developing our activities and their practical applications.

Following discussions on these issues, it will be up to the Ethics Committee to propose recommendations relative to setting out, justifying and applying rules in line with the ethics and code of conduct underlying ABYSSA’s activities. These recommendations are then submitted to the Strategic Committee.

Members of the Ethics Committee

Gilles BOEUF

Former Research Director at the Oceanological Observatory of Banyuls-sur-Mer, Professor at Université Pierre-et-Marie-Curie in Paris, former Chair of the French National Natural History Museum, and former Chair of the Scientific Board of AFB, the French Agency for Biodiversity.

Catherine CHABAUD

Member of the Eurepean Parliament, journalist and sailor, Catherine CHABAUD co-founded the Ocean & Climate Platform and the Océan bien commun de l’humanité (Ocean as a common good) initiative. She acts as economic, social and environmental advisor for marine and coastal affairs at the French Ministry for the Environment, Energy and the Sea.

Françoise GAILL

With a doctorate in Animal Biology from Sorbonne Université & the French Natural History Museum, Françoise GAILL specialises in deep-sea ecosystems. She has developed biophysical methods used to collect live specimens from the deep oceans. She has taken part in many international oceanography campaigns deploying manned and remote-controlled submersibles. At CNRS, she was Head of Environment and Sustainable Development before going on to set up the Institute of Ecology and Environment (INEE).

She chaired the Research and Innovation Committee for France’s Grenelle Marine Environment Forum, as well as the Scientific and Technical Committee for France’s oceanography fleet. She is currently Vice-Chair of the Ocean & Climate Platform and chairs the Marine, Maritime and Coastal Research Committee under France’s National Coastal and Ocean Council (CNML).

Elodie MARTINIE-COUSTY

Coordinator of the French Oceans, Sea and Coast network for the NGO France Nature Environnement, Member of France’s Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE) advising on Nature and Environmental Protection, and Representative for several associations and foundations active in the field of protecting Nature and the environment.

Maïna SAGE

Member of France’s National Assembly for French Polynesia. Member of the Commission for Sustainable Development, Member of the French Biodiversity Office (OFB), and the National Coastal and Ocean Council (CNML). Member of the Steering Committee of the Institute for Pacific Coral Reefs (IRCP) & Chair of the international study “France-Îles du Pacifique” for the National Assembly.

Francis VALLAT

An international ship-owner for 30 years, Francis VALLAT is best known for his tireless efforts to stop the use of “rust-bucket tankers” on the world’s seas; Founder and Honorary Chair of the French Maritime Cluster; Co-founder and Honorary Chair of the European Network of Maritime Clusters (bringing together 18 countries’ maritime clusters), Co-founder and Honorary Chair of Expédition 7° continent (taking action against plastic pollution in our oceans); Honorary Chair of Institut Français de la Mer; Honorary Chair of SOS MEDITERRANEE (sea rescue); Administrative Board member of the European Maritime Safety Agency (Vice-Chair for six years and Chair for one year); in 2017, he received the Lloyd’s List Global Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest mark of recognition in the shipping industry (the first French person to receive this award since its inception several decades ago); Member of the Académie de Marine (French Naval Academy).