This is an acronym that sailors, and of course the general public, will use throughout this Vendée Globe. ZPBs (from French: Zones de Protection de la Biodiversité ZPB) for Biodiversity Protection Zones, will be set up for the first time. These are identified breeding and feeding areas for marine megafauna. Skippers have to avoid them, which helps protect the fauna and flora and also helps improve the safety of sailors and their boats.
Two ZPBs, at the Azores and Cape Verde
Last February, the Vendée Globe Foundation was created to fund scientific research to preserve marine ecosystems. The first project to be supported, led by the scientific grouping Share the Ocean, is carrying out modelling based on the scientific data that made it possible to establish these exclusion zones.
And so two ZPBs have been defined for this 2024 edition. The first is located at the Azores, an essential habitat and passage zone on the migratory route of species of rorquals, whales and sperm whales.
The second is located in Cape Verde, a historic breeding and calving area for humpback whales during the southern winter (October to March). It is also a passage zone on the migratory route of cetaceans.
An initial approach which is pragmatic
The establishment of these ZPBs for this 10th edition is an important step; the scientific work, encouraged and financed by the Vendée Globe Foundation, will continue to enlighten us.
As the race takes place on all the world's oceans, the study area is immense. The Vendée Globe follows a progressive and pragmatic approach in line with the expertise of scientists. Collecting data beforehand therefore requires a particularly substantial amount of research time.
In the same vein, the Antarctic Exclusion Zone, which protects skippers from drifting icebergs, took more than 20 years to become the successful system it is today.
The New York Vendée – Les Sables d'Olonne: a first success
A practical application was made last June during the New York Vendée – Les Sables d'Olonne, race organised by the Vendée Globe teams. To limit the risk of collision, the start was given 90 nautical miles offshore, a first for a transatlantic race. And at end of this race there were no collisions reported.
"Our objective as an organizer has always been to ensure the safety of sailors at sea and everything we put in place demonstrates this," comments the president of the Vendée Globe and the Vendée Departmental Council, Alain Leboeuf. "At the same time, we have initiated this in-depth work to limit collisions with marine megafauna." A commitment that is materialized both by the creation of ZPBs, but also by the funding of scientific research. "The Vendée Globe carries strong messages for the preservation of the oceans and biodiversity," continues Mr. Leboeuf. “We must be proactive in this area and be recognized players both in the scientific community and the general public."
