On theSameOcean

By filtering a few liters of seawater, it is possible to extract environmental DNA—the genetic traces left in the water by every living organism. This technique allows us to identify which species are present in an area without having to see or capture them. On board Aura, 26 samples are collected in the first year, roughly every two to three weeks, in the open ocean and far from busy coastal areas. The sampling kits are provided by Wilderlab, a New Zealand-based company specializing in eDNA. At the end of the season, the samples are sent to Wilderlab for data extraction, which is then forwarded to Professor Bernardi at the University of California Santa Cruz for analysis and research.

The project studies how the same fish species change genetically while crossing different oceans, and how invasive species are moving around the world. The circumnavigation allows for something rarely possible: following the same fish along a global route for six years. Sampling occurs in two ways. The first is systematic: the same species are monitored along the entire route, either by purchasing them at local fish markets—verifying that the catch is local—or through spearfishing. The second is opportunistic: in remote areas difficult for traditional research to reach, Professor Bernardi indicates in advance which species to sample based on the boat's stops. The method is simple: a fin fragment of about half a centimeter, preserved in a test tube with ethyl alcohol. Samples are periodically sent to the University of California Santa Cruz for genetic analysis.

Oceans have their own soundscape—marine fauna, vessel traffic, anthropogenic background noise—which changes from area to area and which research studies to understand the impact of human activities on marine ecosystems. A SoundTrap, an underwater acoustic recorder provided by the CNR, is installed aboard Aura. Recordings take place while at anchor: the instrument is lowered into the water and records for a defined period, with systematic annotation of GPS coordinates, UTC time, depth, weather conditions, and present vessel traffic. Each recording session is documented with a unique ID and archived on dual media. Data is periodically sent to the CNR for analysis, and a selection will be made available on the project portal.

Some marine species are on the move—following warmer currents, colonizing waters that were not their own, and disappearing from areas where they have lived for centuries. Documenting these movements requires systematic and continuous observations over time. A visual monitoring protocol validated by the CNR is applied aboard Aura. Each monitoring session is conducted every fifteen minutes or whenever conditions change, systematically recording: GPS position, UTC time, sea and wind conditions, vessel traffic, and all marine fauna sightings, including species, number of individuals, distance, sighting angle, and observed behavior. When a sighting allows, a detailed behavioral sheet is also filled out every three minutes. Data is periodically sent to the CNR for analysis.

During the voyage, the crew documents significant marine waste and pollutants photographically, recording GPS coordinates, date, type, estimated size, and sea conditions for each detection. Objects with greater narrative value—those that tell a story about their origin, their time at sea, or their geographical provenance—are physically collected whenever possible and shipped to The Sea Republic headquarters, where they are preserved and cataloged for the post-voyage photo exhibition. The project is developed and managed entirely by The Sea Republic. Data is updated monthly on the portal.