“ABYSSA SAS,” a French company specializing in seafloor exploration and mapping, announces the successful completion of the CARTOGOUF project’s at-sea campaign, conducted between July and September 2026 on behalf of the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB).
Using the Cougar XT 54 ROV, as well as the Marvel Lumen AUV—designed for image acquisition—and the Marvel Scan AUV—designed for sonar acquisition—both developed by SEABER, the teams were able to observe and document deep-sea fauna, identify coral communities present in the canyon, and collect new data on ecosystems that remain largely unknown. The mission also made it possible to collect additional data and develop an integrated, multiscale study of the canyon and the adjacent plateau.
The results of the campaign notably revealed the presence of cold-water coral colonies, hardened walls of giant oysters, and habitats harboring significant biodiversity, confirming the ecological richness of the Gouf de Capbreton and underscoring the need to continue studying its functioning and dynamics.
Knowledge in the Service of Canyon Conservation
These results will help strengthen the scientific knowledge needed to understand, monitor, and preserve this exceptional natural heritage.
Jean-Damien Bergeron, Director of Operations, is delighted with the success of this campaign:
« The Gouf de Capbreton is home to remarkably rich deep-sea ecosystems that remain largely unknown. The images collected as part of CARTOGOUF confirm the significant scientific and environmental value of this mission. We are particularly proud to coordinate a consortium that brings together complementary areas of expertise and to put our know-how at the service of the French Office for Biodiversity and the advancement of our understanding of marine environments. »
The campaign was carried out thanks to the expertise and commitment of all the consortium partners: ABYSSA SAS, CREOCEAN, Argyro Marine, Jifmar Group, Hydroconsult, Géomatique Offshore, SEABER et Bizkaia Exploration.