Montreal, March 29, 2022 — Partial crews from ORS and EcoMaris met for the first time at the Montreal Yacht Club to inspect the icebound ship and begin planning expedition logistics. We were welcomed aboard and given a tour by the Captain of EcoMaris, Alexis-Roy Touchette.

The tall ship EcoMaris will serve as the expedition vessel for Brion22. Departing from the Magdalen Islands, EcoMaris will anchor off Brion Island for the entire expedition. By remaining on station—weather permitting—for the duration of the expedition, the science team will be able to monitor the site uninterrupted and thus increase the odds of sighting and tagging sharks.

The first visit aboard EcoMaris allowed us to inspect the crew quarters and other features. Transportation of the cage aboard the vessel is problematic due to its size and because of the configuration of the tall ship’s masts and superstructure. The cage will thus be carried to Brion under the rear davits. Upon arriving at Brion Island, and weather permitting, the cage will be lowered into the water where it will be brought alongside EcoMaris. Deploying the cage at the lowest point alongside the ship will allow for quick access—and egress—and prevent the chum slick from entering the cage. Keeping the chum out the cage may also reduce the risk of seasickness for the divers and help prevent sharks from coming too close or colliding with the cage. We are looking forward to embarking for the expedition in September!

⚠️ Notice to recreational divers and boaters: Brion22 is a scientific expedition conducted under licence from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). It is strictly forbidden to conduct cage diving operations or to interact with the white shark without a scientific permit under the Species at Risk Act (SARA). SARA prohibits the killing, harming, harassing, capturing, taking, possessing, collecting, buying, selling or trading of individuals of endangered, threatened or extirpated species, including the white shark (Atlantic population), which is designated as an endangered species. Furthermore, and as stipulated by the Quebec National Heritage Conservation Act (LCPN), access to Île-Brion Ecological Reserve is also strictly forbidden without a permit for scientific research from the ministère de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques (MELCC).

DFO (SARA) Scientific Permit No.:
QUE-LEP-014-2022
MELCC (LCPN) Scientific Permit No.:
3850-RE-R; 5141-03-11 [1.2]
⚠️ No sharks are captured or restrained in any way.