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.

Annick GIRARDIN

Annick Girardin, originally from Saint-Pierre et Miquelon, held several administrative positions before entering politics. Her primary aim was to bring recognition to the North American archipelago. She served as General Councillor (2000-2006), Territorial Councillor (2006-2016), and Municipal Councillor of Saint-Pierre (2001-2008). Elected as a Member of Parliament for the Archipelago in 2007, she held this position until 2022. Her first significant achievement was the extension of Saint-Pierre et Miquelon’s continental shelf. This success led François Hollande to appoint her as Secretary of State for Development and Francophonie (2014-16). She played an active role during the Ebola crisis in Africa and supported COP21. She was also the personal representative of the President of the Republic for the Francophonie (2014-16). Later, she became Minister for the Civil Service (2016-17). After Emmanuel Macron was elected President of the Republic, she was appointed Minister for Overseas France (2017-20), where she led aid efforts following Hurricane Irma, maintained dialogue during the Yellow Vests crisis, and managed the COVID crisis in overseas territories. In 2020, she was appointed Minister for the Sea (until 2022), a natural choice for a fisherman’s daughter. She notably supported fishermen post-Brexit and advocated for deep-sea exploration and knowledge at the One Ocean Summit. Annick Girardin was elected Senator for Saint-Pierre et Miquelon in 2023 and serves as Vice-Chairwoman of the French Senate’s Delegation for Overseas France.

Frédéric RENAUDEAU, Rear Admiral (2S)

Advisor for Defense, Strategy, and Marine Funds, France 2030 at Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique President of the CELADON sea test base. Former commander of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, nuclear attack submarines, and surface ships. Expert in underwater detection, oceanography, underwater warfare, and nuclear energy. The Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique, a competitiveness cluster focused on maritime innovation, unites an ecosystem of over 430 members, with 73% being SMEs. It supports them in technological innovation projects and, more broadly, in the development of the blue economy.