UN Ocean Conference

The Bonita is a boat belonging to the NGO Expédition MED, which brings together a collective of scientists, environmentalists, and citizens fighting against plastic pollution. Photo: Cyril Dodergny

The "Wonders of the Ocean" arrive in Nice

Scientific and historical vessels are already located in Nice. Moored in the port, they host political meetings and public events

Translated French article from Nice-Matin . No space for terrorists in this setting, no Greenpeace nor Extinction Rebellion antics. (Editor).

By Romain Béal,  Published on 06/03/2025 at 08:50, updated on 06/03/2025 at 08:50

The ballet of ships has begun. As part of the United Nations Ocean Conference, Nice is hosting, on a rotating basis, around thirty exceptional scientific and historical vessels (1) until June 15. They will serve as mediation sites for political negotiations, but will also present their activities to UNOC delegates and the general public.

Dubbed "Wonders of the Ocean," some of these French and foreign boats will parade this Sunday, June 8, in a grand parade called "Ocean Wonders," which will celebrate World Oceans Day.

Angolan, Turkish, American boats...

This Monday, under a light breeze, the Baía Farta (Angola) was one of the first to dock at the port of Nice. A 74.1m-long behemoth, fully equipped for advanced scientific research. Shortly after, the Oceanxplorer (managed by American Ray Dalio) appeared – the first ship in history to complete a round-the-world voyage using a renewable energy mix and hydrogen produced onboard by electrolysis of seawater. Closely followed by the Bodrum (Turkey), a splendid sailing ship participating in scientific research missions in collaboration with UNESCO. And by Le Bonita, from the NGO Expédition MED, which brings together a collective of scientists, environmentalists, and citizens fighting against plastic pollution.

The Tethys II from Toulon

Coming from Toulon, the Téthys II was also there. Owned by Ifremer (French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea) and equipped by its subsidiary Genavir, it is one of the 17 vessels in the French oceanographic fleet, one of the largest in the world. A veritable floating laboratory on the Mediterranean. "The Téthys II is an oceanographic vessel built solely for science," explains Commander Clément Schneider, at the helm. "We have an ultra-precise electronic navigation chart, cutting-edge acoustic sounders, and current meters grafted under the hull... As soon as we sail, these devices will produce data that can be of interest to scientists." The Téthys II will remain moored for 5 days in Nice. Seven sailors are at the helm, and it can accommodate up to 8 scientists for the longest missions. It is on the front line when it comes to seismic risks. "Today, from the surface, we can determine the composition of the seabed, to detect potentially hazardous underwater faults," the commander continues. "But we can also monitor fish populations, monitor phytoplankton... the spectrum is very broad."

For those passionate about sailing and old sailing ships, the Statsraad LehmKuhl and the Santa Maria Manuela will show how ships are reinventing themselves in the service of the ocean.

Footnote:

(1) The "Wonders of the Ocean" are freely accessible to the general public until June 5 inclusive at the port of Nice.

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Greenpeace banned from UN Ocean conference

Illustrative photo by Dylan Meiffret

UNOC will take place from June 9 to 13, 2025, in Nice. It is preceded by three special events: the One Ocean Science Congress (June 3-6 in Nice), the Blue Economy and Finance Forum (June 7-8 in Monaco), and the Conference dedicated to the Ocean Rise & Coastal Resilience Coalition (June 7 in Nice). 

Translated French article of Nice-Matin of how Greenpeace got banned from the Ocean Conference. They maybe should rethink their aggressive methods that they employ to further/ achieve their agenda (Editor).

"It's simply an aberration": Greenpeace denounces the exclusion of its boat from the inaugural parade of the Ocean Summit in Nice

The Greenpeace organization denounced this Monday, June 2, 2025, the exclusion of its boat "MY Arctic Sunrise" from the inaugural parade of the 3rd UN Ocean Conference (UNOC 3), scheduled for this Sunday in Nice.

By the editorial staff, published on 02/06/2025 at 10:15, updated on 02/06/2025 at 10:29

"It's simply an aberration." Greenpeace France is deprived of the inaugural parade of the Ocean Summit this Sunday, June 8 in Nice.

The organization announced in a statement on Monday that it had been informed by "Ocean Wonders," the official organizer of the maritime parade, of its "refusal to participate with its ship " MY Arctic Sunrise " even though Greenpeace "had been officially invited."

"For over 50 years, we have been defending the oceans, particularly on board our ships. We have always acted non-violently to protect the high seas, ban deep-sea mining, strictly protect marine protected areas, and end single-use plastics... and we couldn't take part in a demonstration in favor of the oceans?" , protested Jean-François Julliard, director general of Greenpeace France.

Investigation after the dropping of limestone blocks in the Mediterranean

This exclusion from the parade of the 3rd UN Conference on the Ocean (UNOC 3) is due, according to the press release, to an action carried out by the organization on Wednesday, May 21 in the Gulf of Lyon marine park.

A judicial inquiry has been opened after Greenpeace dropped more than ten rocks into the sea in a protected area of ​​the Mediterranean to prevent bottom trawling .

Minister for Ecological Transition Agnès Pannier-Runacher had denounced the fact that a boat had dumped "more than ten tons of rubble in a marine protected area, under the pretext of campaigning against bottom trawling, in a place where trawlers do not penetrate. This is deeply shocking."

Greenpeace responded, assuring that it was not rubble but rather "fifteen rocks weighing one to two tons each," "limestone blocks that come directly from a quarry, a material similar to what can be found naturally in the marine park ," adding that the targeted area was indeed affected by bottom trawling. Their boat "also encountered four trawlers that were in full operation a few kilometers away."

"Attempts at intimidation" and "untruths"

Greenpeace France on Monday denounced "attempts at intimidation" and "untruths . " "Banning the "Arctic Sunrise" is not only a serious mistake but also a sad symbol of the repression of environmental activists ."

The organization also denounced the police custody of five activists in Nice, arrested "for posting posters and chalk graffiti in favor of protecting the oceans, their homes having also been searched."

"Having received no official information, Greenpeace considers that the stopover at the port of Nice of the "Arctic Sunrise" planned for June 4 and 5 is maintained," she concluded.

UNOC takes place from June 9 to 13, 2025 in Nice . It is preceded by three special events: the One Ocean Science Congress (June 3-6 in Nice), the Blue Economy and Finance Forum (June 7-8 in Monaco) and the Conference dedicated to the Ocean Rise & Coastal Resilience Coalition (June 7 in Nice).