“Vessels of opportunity” help science

The Ocean Race Europe 2025 during August and September had seven IMOCA teams compete for 4,500 nautical miles across five Legs, but it was not only about the racing. Seawater samples collected by the sailors might help to unlock new insights into ocean hazards, from algal blooms to jellyfish swarms.

The study comes at a critical time, with shorelines across the Caribbean and beyond continuing to be swamped by sargassum seaweed, highlighting the urgent need to better understand ocean biodiversity and the spread of invasive species.

The data collected during the Race could prove invaluable in assessing how these phenomena are being driven by climate change and human activity, and identifying the risks hiding in Europe’s seas. The preliminary results were released on World Ocean Day (June 8), a global event that aims to raise awareness about the crucial role the ocean plays in sustaining life on Earth.

Team Paprec Arkéa collected environmental DNA (known as eDNA) as they raced through the Mediterranean across more than 2,000 nautical miles between Cartagena, Spain and Boka Bay, Montenegro, during last summer’s competition. These samples contain the genetic material that organisms leave behind in the water through skin cells, mucus and waste.

By analyzing these traces, scientists from Citizens of the Sea were able to identify which species are present without needing to see or capture them. Results from the 24 samples found over 8.5 million DNA sequences and the detection of 2,365 types of bacteria and 785 plant and animal groups.

Among the most notable detections was the Mauve Stinger jellyfish, a species that is increasing due to climate change and overfishing. Most jellyfish monitoring happens close to shore, giving only a partial view of their movements, so samples collected offshore during the Race could prove invaluable in predicting future distribution and reducing the impact on tourism and fishing.

Species associated with harmful algal blooms (HABs), such as Alexandrium and Dinophysis were also found. While not indicating active blooms, their presence underlines the potential of eDNA as an early-warning tool, one that could be vital given that such blooms can produce dangerous toxins and cause harm to marine ecosystems, coastal economies, including fisheries, and human health.

Traces of the invasive Red Sea plume seaweed were detected offshore, despite it being a coastal species, a finding that shows it may have spread further than previously thought. This could negatively impact Mediterranean seaweed forests by blocking out the sunlight, which leads to a decrease in biodiversity.

Other non-indigenous species commonly associated with shipping and marine infrastructure, including barnacles, reef-building worms, and colonial tunicates were also detected. These findings underline the role of maritime activity in spreading invasive species and demonstrate how eDNA can help track these movements across large ocean areas.

“Climate change and human activity are driving new marine threats, yet scientists know surprisingly little about many of the species and their movements,” said Stefan Raimund, The Ocean Race Science Program Coordinator.

“Sailing boats are what we call vessels of opportunity that can make a real difference when outfitted with the right equipment. They provide many benefits over traditional research methods as they provide the full spectrum of biodiversity more rapidly and at less cost.

“We want to equip many more racing boats to collect eDNA in real-time and help scientists gain a better understanding of species and their distribution in our seas, which is vital to the health of the ocean on which we all depend.”

The Ocean Race is a pioneer of eDNA collection on sailing boats, with 11th Hour Racing Team, gathering data during a leg of the The Ocean Race 2022-23. The initiative is part of The Ocean Race’s long-standing Science Program, which harnesses the power of sport to advance ocean research, expand global observation efforts, and accelerate action for ocean health.

Final Results:

Details: https://www.theoceanrace.com

The entrants featured a team of five, representing at least two nationalities, with at least one female crew member.

The 5-leg race started August 10 from Kiel, Germany with the 850-nautical mile opening Leg to Portsmouth, England. Leg 2 took the fleet 1,400 nautical miles to Caragena, Spain – via a fly-by in Matosinhos / Porto in Portugal. The 650-nautical mile third Leg went through the Mediterranean and finished in Nice, France, before the fleet sets off on the planned-to-be 600-nautical mile fourth Leg to Genova, Italy. The approximately 1,000-nautical mile fifth and final Leg took the crews into the Adriatic to the Race finish in Boka Bay in Montenegro.

Entry list:
Team Malizia (GER) – Boris Herrmann (GER)
Team Holcim – PRB (SUI) – Rosalin Kuiper (NED)
Team Paprec Arkéa (FRA) – Yoann Richomme (FRA)
Canada Ocean Racing – Be Water Positive (CAN) – Scott Shawyer (CAN)
Allagrande Mapei Racing (ITA) – Ambrogio Beccaria (ITA)
Biotherm (FRA) – Paul Meilhat (FRA)
Team AMAALA (SUI/KSA) – Alan Roura (SUI)

Race facts:
• Distance: 4,500 nautical miles across five Legs.
• Yacht-Type: High-speed IMOCA 60s, capable of reaching 25+ knots.
• Crews: 4 sailors per boat, representing at least two nationalities and with at least one female crew member. And 1 onboard reporter.
• Nations represented: Germany, Switzerland, France, Canada, Italy, Netherlands, Great Britain, United States of America, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, Brazil, Portugal.
• Historic firsts: First time racing into the Adriatic Sea and Montenegro finish.
• Tracking: Live GPS race tracker powered by ‘PredictWind’, with weather overlays and real-time routing.

The Ocean Race will begin again in 2027 using the IMOCA class boat, with two earlier events providing training and exposure to prospective teams. In 2025, The Ocean Race Europe will start on August 10 from Kiel, Germany and take a route south around the Iberian Peninsula and into the Mediterranean Sea. In 2026, The Ocean Race Atlantic will start in New York, USA and finish in Barcelona, Spain.

Source: TORE