Large Format OCEANS

Part One - The Plankton Chronicles - The History of Life - 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Plankton – all organisms carried by ocean currents – is the largest and oldest ecosystem on the planet. From viruses and bacteria to jellyfish, it embodies four billion years of evolution and extreme biodiversity. With the Tara Oceans expedition, we explored this mysterious universe and will recount the rich evolution of life since its origins. 

With: Christian Sardet, marine biologist and artist, emeritus research director at the CNRS, co-founder of the Tara Oceans expedition, author of several books on cells and plankton, who will share with us his enthusiasm for the beauty of living things and the history of life. 

Part Two - On the challenges of biodiversity and the overexploitation of the oceans - 3.30-4.30 p.m.

Meeting, short film, and discussion on the challenges of ocean conservation with the afternoon speakers on oceans, joined by Marc Kochzius, marine biologist (VUB).
Interventiion in Eglish.

Part Three - Nostalgia for the depths - Towards another narrative of the abyss - 4:30-6 p.m.

Hélène Collin invites us to follow the journey of a research project on the poetic, scientific and geopolitical issues surrounding deep-sea mining. Returning from a research expedition with Ifremer studying hydrothermal vents, a geological formation found in the deep sea, the artist invites us to explore the abyss and consider the urgent threats it faces.

Frat research project

Discussions moderated by Jérome Delroisse, marine biologist and FNRS qualified researcher at UMONS, followed by a book signing with the speakers.
It is possible to attend only part of the event.