© Marin Le Roux - Fondation Tara Ocean
En 2003, on a décidé d’acquérir ce bateau, Étienne et moi, afin de tenter de poursuivre l’aventure débutée par Peter Blake à bord : mener des recherches écologiques avec des scientifiques. Nous voulions agir en faveur de l’environnement avec d’autres parrains.
ABOUT TARA OCEAN FOUNDATION
In 2003, Agnès and her son Etienne Bourgois, who have always loved the ocean, acquired the schooner Tara, initially as private individuals. They both wanted to create a floating scientific laboratory that would work to protect the marine environment. The objective would be: to observe, study and understand the impact of climate change and the ecological crisis on the ocean, in order to better protect it.
“This project was born from a passion for the ocean, from a humanist and committed vision,” explained Etienne Bourgois. In fact, the Tara project is also about bringing together top scientists, artists and the general public, to encourage multi-disciplinary work, multicultural work, and freedom. Since the project’s beginnings, the schooner has travelled more than 400,000 kilometres, stopping off in more than 60 countries during its 5 major expeditions. These missions, taken in collaboration with top international laboratories (in particular the CNRS, the French National Centre for Scientific Research), have facilitated important scientific advances.
In 2003, The Tara Ocean Fondation was created and became the first publicly recognised foundation dedicated to the ocean. Agnès and Etienne gifted the schooner to the Foundation, of which they were founder members. The “Agnès Troublé dite agnès b.” endowment fund is one of its main patrons, and Etienne is its director.
Tara Polar Station, the new Tara Ocean Foundation vessel, built at CMN Cherbourg, is a ‘futuristic’ polar station that will study the impact of climate change on polar ecosystems, while observing local biodiversity and the effects of pollution.
This new vessel was launched on the 04 of October 2024, marking a crucial milestone after more than a year of construction in the Cherbourg shipyard. The construction work is now continuing out on the water. This unique polar laboratory will officially begin its first tests in Greenland at the beginning of 2025, then in the Arctic.
TARA'S MISSIONS
Today the four main missions of The Tara Ocean Fondation are:
- Expeditions and scientific research on ocean biodiversity, climate change and plastic pollution in the oceans.
- Raising awareness in young people of the challenges related to the oceans. Thanks to a partnership with French National Education, the Foundation has already engaged with 500,000 school pupils, teenagers and young adults, hosting them on board the schooner or offering a program with specialist teaching in schools.
- Advocacy with political and economic decision-makers for better ocean governance. Due to its high-level scientific expertise in the area of the oceans, the Foundation obtained the status of United Nations Observer.
- Cooperation with the southern hemisphere. Data collected by Tara is provided “open access” to scientists from all over the world. In addition, the Foundation is developing a programme of North-South cooperation to enable scientists from developing countries to train in the use of this data.
Furthermore, the Foundation regularly invites artists in residence on board the schooner. This is an innovative way to raise awareness in the public about the environment and the challenges to preserve it.
Foundation Tara Ocean stamped products
At agnès b., we proudly offer a selection of products stamped with the esteemed Tara logo, with proceeds dedicated to supporting the Tara Ocean Foundation's vital work. By purchasing these specially marked items, customers not only acquire beautifully crafted pieces from our collection but also contribute directly to the foundation's efforts in ocean conservation, scientific research, and environmental advocacy. Every purchase symbolizes a tangible step towards safeguarding our planet's oceans and marine biodiversity, underscoring agnès b.'s unwavering commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility.
