JOIN FABRICE AND TAKE PART IN ACTIVE CONSERVATION AND EXPLORATION!
Fabrice regularly travels to remote biodiversity hotspots to collate scientific information or document threatened species in the wild. You can join him!
UPCOMING TRIPS
Raja Ampat
'Exploring the Heart of Marine Biodiversity'
22nd-28th March 2019
Fabrice has partnered with Diveplanit to lead a dive expedition to Raja Ampat aboard the magnificent 'Sea Safari 8', a 34-metre traditional Phinisi sailing vessel. Located at the heart of the Coral Triangle, Raja Ampat is well known as the world's most bio-diverse marine region on the planet! Expect to be mesmerised by the myriads of fish hovering atop the vibrant reefs painted with soft corals, and be surprised by pelagic encounters like no other - schooling fish, manta rays, mobula rays, etc. And of course, Fabrice will be sharing some of his knowledge and experience throughout the trip!
For more information follow this link or contact Fabrice. LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE
© Raja4Divers
PAST EXPEDITIONS
PHOTOGRAPHING HUMPBACK WHALES, KINGDOM OF TONGA
August – September 2016
In late 2016 Fabrice hosted a 11-day humpback whale swimming tour to the Kingdom of Tonga in collaboration with Canon Master Darren Jew. Days were spent exploring the beautiful Tongan islands, swimming inches away from these curious gentle giants in some of the clearest waters on the planet. Some of the highlights included swimming in the middle of a 'heat run' involving 7 humpback whales and being inches away from young calves and serenading males looking for mates.
TAGGING REEF SHARKS, NEW CALEDONIA
July 2016
As part of his involvement with Customized Animal Tracking Solutions, Fabrice participated to a scientific expedition organised by scientists from the French Institute for Research and Development (IRD) and Florida University to the remote 'Astrolabe Reefs' of New Caledonia. The objectives were to 1) catch a number of reef sharks and collect biological data and DNA samples for an ongoing study, 2) to deploy animal-borne camera telemetry systems on reef sharks and tiger sharks, 3) to conduct video assessments of reef health (using BRUVs) as part of the Global Fin Print project. Over 90 sharks were caught during the trip, with various biological and ecological datasets collected.
TAGGING OCEANIC MANTA RAYS DURING THE SARDINE RUN, SOUTH AFRICA
June 2016
In 2016 Fabrice travelled to Port St Johns, South Africa, to take part in a special research expedition in collaboration with the Marine Megafauna Foundation and Shark Explorers to deploy the first satellite transmitters on South African manta rays that show up during the natural phenomenon known as the 'Sardine Run'. Although challenging, the expedition was a success and filmed as part of a documentary.
TAGGING SHARKS IN SOUTH AFRICA
April 2016
As part of his involvement with Customized Animal Tracking Solutions Fabrice consulted for the BBC on a project to deploy animal-borne camera systems on large predatory sharks.
RAY OF HOPE EXPEDITION, MYANMAR & THAILAND
March 2016
After the very successful 2015 Ray of Hope Expedition to Myanmar & Thailand, Fabrice returned to the region with colleagues from the Marine Megafauna Foundation and a group of keen citizen scientists. Highlights included a couple of whale sharks, mesmerizing interactions with curious oceanic manta rays and a striking amount of biodiversity yet encountered in the region, a positive sign for the region's future!
SATELLITE TAGGING MANTA RAYS IN HAWAI'I
April 2015
In April 2015 Fabrice travelled to the beautiful island of Maui, Hawai’i, to collaborate with local manta ray expert Dr Mark Deakos on the first Hawaiian manta ray satellite tagging campaign. Together, they successfully deployed two devices to gain better understanding of how reef manta rays utilise Hawaiian waters and where they might face anthropogenic threats.
RAY OF HOPE EXPEDITION, MYANMAR & THAILAND
February – March 2015
The 2015 Ray of Hope Expedition to Myanmar & Thailand, led by Fabrice and colleagues at Thailand Dive & Sail, was one of the team's most successful trips to the region to this day. Highlights included over a dozen elusive oceanic manta rays encountered in a single dive along with a whale shark, exploratory dives in vibrant waters up to ~120 nautical miles off the Myanmar coastline, plenty of laughter and even an engagement proposal onboard!
SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION RESEARCH, GREAT BARRIER REEF, AUSTRALIA
December 2014 – January 2015
Fabrice worked with the Queensland Sea Turtle Conservation Program to monitor green and loggerhead sea turtle populations during the 2014/2015 nesting season on Lady Musgrave Island, southern Great Barrier reef, Australia.
RAY OF HOPE EXPEDITION, THAILAND
February 2014
After being refused entry into Myanmar waters due to the political context, the 2014 Ray of Hope Expedition was adjusted to explore the Similan and Surin National Parks for oceanic manta rays. The trip quickly turned a success when several individual manta rays were spotted, along with other threatened marine megafauna.
MANTA RAY RESEARCH, MOZAMBIQUE
July - September, 2013
In 2013 Fabrice spent 3 months in Mozambique, collaborating on various bits of research with local manta ray expert Dr Andrea Marshall and her team at the Marine Megafauna Foundation.
PROJECT MANTA, GREAT BARRIER REEF, AUSTRALIA
2009 - 2013
Between 2009 – 2013 Fabrice co-lead several research trips as part of his PhD fieldwork with The University of Queensland’s Project Manta team. The research trips, organised in collaboration with Earthwatch Institute Australia, were open to the public and aimed at gathering more information about the east Australian reef manta ray population. This project led to the publication of several scientific articles, a full-length documentary and multiple features in the popular press.