The Swiss Cetacean Society at Swiss Ocean Day 2026: Connecting People and Ideas for the Ocean

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Group photo of the Swiss Ocean Day 2026 participants, held on June 8 in Bern.

Context (Swiss Ocean Day)

On June 8, 2026, on the occasion of World Oceans Day, Swiss Ocean Day brought together several dozen participants in Bern from national and international organisations, associations, public institutions, and the academic community.

This day of conferences and discussions aimed to highlight major ocean-related challenges, including how marine ecosystems function, the impacts of climate change, biodiversity conservation, and protection initiatives carried out in Switzerland and internationally.

Four members of the Swiss Cetacean Society-SCS took part in this event, reflecting our association’s commitment to contributing to various conservation projects.

Four Women Presenting the SCS Projects

Throughout the day, conferences and poster presentations showcasing research and conservation projects followed one another, before concluding with a thematic discussion on the International Agreement on the Protection of the High Seas (BBNJ Agreement).

The SCS was represented by Charlotte Bellot, the association’s Executive Director and coordinator of marine expeditions, who presented the eco-volunteering missions and the actions carried out by the SCS to advance knowledge and protection of cetaceans.

Lucie Aulus-Giacosa highlighted a partner project: CBD Habitat, supported by the SCS, which focuses on the conservation of the Mediterranean monk seal in Mauritania.

Laure Vancauwenberghe presented the development of the green turtle and mangrove conservation project in the Comoros, conducted in partnership with Mitsamiouli-Ndroudé National Park.

Finally, Oriane Servant, an SCS member, is currently developing a new project dedicated to cetacean conservation in Tahiti and presented the results of her Master’s research through a scientific poster presentation.

Presentations of the actions and projects of the Swiss Cetacean Society by its members: Charlotte Bellot, Executive Director and Expedition Coordinator; Lucie Aulus-Giacosa, Monk Seal Project Coordinator; Laure Vancauwenberghe, Coordinator of the Mangrove Project in the Comoros; and Oriane Servant, Coordinator of the Cetacean Project in Tahiti.

Presentations of the Swiss Cetacean Society’s activities and projects by its members. Names in the caption are listed from left to right and from top to bottom.

Key takeaways

This day highlighted the richness of the collaborations developing around ocean conservation and provided an opportunity for meaningful exchanges between scientists, associations, and institutions. For the Swiss Cetacean Society, this participation was also an opportunity to showcase the diversity of projects led or supported by the organisation, from expeditions in the Mediterranean to conservation initiatives around the world.

We are particularly proud to have been represented by four dedicated women whose expertise and projects reflect the diversity of actions needed to preserve marine ecosystems. A powerful reminder that ocean protection is built above all through collaboration, field engagement, and the sharing of knowledge.

Swiss Cetacean Society (SCS) delegation at Swiss Ocean (from left to right): Charlotte Bellot, Lucie Aulus-Giacosa, Oriane Servant, and Laure Vancauwenberghe.

SCS representation at Swiss Ocean by (from left to right): Charlotte Bellot, Lucie Aulus-Giacosa, Oriane Servant, and Laure Vancauwenberghe.

Lausanne, July 13 2026

Blog written by : Lucie Aulus-Giacosa / SCS