Portraits

Since 1991, men and women have left their mark on the history of the Sea and the Oceans. Over the last 20 years they have all had a positive influence and helped things to move forward. They have shown the public a new facet of the world of the Sea and have helped towards a better understanding of the Ocean and a global awareness of just how fragile, useful and wonderful the Ocean is. See the portrait gallery to which Nausicaa gives pride of place.

Albert 1st of Monaco (1848-1922)

The Monaco Oceanographic Museum celebrated its 100th birthday in 2010. It was founded by Albert 1st of Monaco. A prince and scientist, he helped to promote the development of oceanography and to publicize the results of scientific campaigns, including his own. His wishes are still being carried out today through a wide range of activities: scientific research, a museum, aquariums, educational work, publications, libraries, teaching and conferences to raise awareness among the general public. The Albert 1st Foundation has been officially recognized as being beneficial to the public at large.

Robert BALLARD

A scientist, he developed underwater exploration machines and contributed to progress in marine geology. Among other achievements, he found the wreck of the Titanic. He now supports large-scale underwater exploration and mapping projects, and dedicates part of his time to introducing the general public to the abysses.

Sandra BESSUDO

This French-Colombian marine biologist has worked since 1989 to protect the island of Malpelo (whose waters contain a rich biodiversity, including a large number of hammerhead sharks). She helped to make it a protected island in 1995, and it was declared by UNESCO as a natural World Heritage Site in 2006. Since 2010, Sandra BESSUDO has been Minister for the Environment in Colombia and is concentrating mainly on setting up the first marine conservation corridor for the tropical eastern Pacific.

Alain BOMBARD

In the early 1950s, the young doctor and biologist Alain BOMBARD was doing his internship at the Boulogne-sur-Mer hospital. Seeing dead seamen arrive regularly, he decided to try an experiment to increase the chances of surviving at sea following a shipwreck. In 1952, working with the Oceanographic Museum in Monaco, from where he set out, he became a “voluntary shipwreck survivor” on board an inflatable boat, the “Hérétique”. His only resources were a sextant and a plankton net. After 113 days at sea he reached Barbados. As a result of this experiment, survival boats were designed and made compulsory. They also bear his name.

Biliana CICIN SAIN

A doctor in political science, Biliana CICIN-SAIN is a leader in the field of ocean governance. She is an advisor to organizations such as UNESCO, the I.O.C., U.N.E.P., etc. She is Chairman of the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts and Islands. She has taken on the leadership of an international initiative involving all the ocean leaders concerned to implement genuine ocean governance.Through her commitment to these various organizations, she has influenced national and international decisions on the implementation of worldwide agreements, the identification of issues and organizational matters concerning problems such as climate change, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem management, integrated coastal management and communication with the public.

Jacques-Yves COUSTEAU

A naval officer and oceanographer. With the engineer Emile GAGNAN, he designed the pressure valve that opened the way for autonomous diving in 1945. On board the Calypso he undertook a number of underwater exploration campaigns. He was also one of the first underwater film-makers. His film “The Silent World” won the Palme d’Or award at the Cannes Film Festival in 1955. He introduced the general public to the world of the sea.

Anita CONTI

The first woman oceanographer, she travelled on trawlers from the 1930s. She was also the first to realize and denounce the dangers of an intensive exploitation of the sea’s resources.

Henri Germain DELAUZE

An engineer, he began his career on Captain Cousteau’s campaigns. He was one of the pioneers of deep-sea saturation diving. He founded COMEX, a company with an expertise in underwater machines, equipment and works for deep-sea environments.








 

Sylvia EARLE

An internationally-known oceanographer and explorer in residence for the National Geographic, doctor Sylvia Earle is a pioneer in the field of the great abyssal depths. She has led a number of oceanographic expeditions linked to research into marine ecosystems and technologies used to reach deep environments. She has spent over 6000 hours underwater.She was awarded the TED Prize (One Wish to Change the World) with her proposal to set up a worldwide network of marine protected areas.

Jacques MAYOL

A free-diving champion. He was the first to break the 100-metre depth barrier in 1976. He opened the way for large numbers of free-diving enthusiasts. He then specialized in the study of dolphin behaviour.

Jacques PICCART

Like his father, Auguste PICCART, Jacques PICCART was a pioneer in the exploration of the ocean depths. In 1960, with Don Walsh, he was the first to dive in the submarine Trieste to a depth of nearly 11,000 metres into the Mariana Trench (Pacific Ocean).He also helped to build 4 other bathyscaphes, including the first tourist submarine. Finally, he helped on architect Jacques Rougerie’s Sea Orbiter project.

Eric TABARLY

A yachtsman and former naval officer, he won a large number of races (English transatlantic crossing, Solo transatlantic crossing, etc.). He brought professionalism to open-sea racing by introducing major technical innovations such as the development of multi-hull boats. He designed Pen Duick yachts. He disappeared at sea at the age of 67.

 Commandant Philippe TAILLEZ

A naval officer, Philippe TAILLIEZ took an early interest in the underwater world, free-diving and underwater images and hunting. He was also aware of the fragility of the marine environment and the importance of preserving it. He took part in a large number of projects: the 1st French underwater film shot while free-diving, ran the “Groupe d'Etudes et de Recherches Sous-Marines”, led underwater archaeological projects, including the 1st archaeological experiment with autonomous divers, was a founder member of the scientific committee for the Port-Cros national park, etc. He was considered to be one of the fathers of deep-sea diving. He and his friends, J.Y. Cousteau and F. Dumas, were nicknamed the “Mousquemers”.

Paul-Emile VICTOR

A French explorer and ethnographer who ran a number of polar expeditions. In 1947, he set up “French Polar Expeditions”, which he ran until 1976. As a result of his talents as a communicator (communication and popularization), he introduced the poles to the general public.