During Tara’s stopover in Liverpool, Martin Alessandrini, Advocacy Officer at the Tara Ocean Foundation, and Professor Alessandro Tagliabue from the University of Liverpool—director of one of Tara’s research programmes—welcomed children from the Liverpool FC Foundation and Liverpool FC players aboard the schooner to discover the wonders of Ocean life.
The goal of this “REDS FOR BLUE” operation? To show how collective interactions within a football team mirror those found in the Ocean — from plankton to top predators, marine species also rely on teamwork to thrive.
Plankton : the invisible team of the sea
95% of marine life is made up of plankton.
Every liter of seawater contains 10 to 100 billion microorganisms.
50% of the oxygen we breathe comes from plankton!
The ocean absorbs 25% of human CO₂ emissions, thanks to plankton.
But what exactly is plankton ? What is this invisible team that keeps the Ocean alive?
Plankton refers to a diverse group of animals and plants that drift with Ocean currents, unable to move on their own. It is divided into two main categories: zooplankton, of animal origin, and phytoplankton, of plant origin.
Although invisible to the naked eye, these tiny marine organisms inhabit the Ocean and are far more abundant than one might think. Their size ranges from 0.01 micrometers to 1 cm—the same scale difference as between an ant and a brontosaurus!
Why are these microorganisms essential to life on Earth?
They are a key player in the climate system
Some plankton, known as phytoplankton, have a remarkable superpower. Using specialiszed cells called chloroplasts, they harness the sun’s energy to absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂) and produce oxygen—this is photosynthesis! By capturing atmospheric CO₂, they play a crucial role in regulating the climate, acting as a true biological carbon pump. When phytoplankton die, part of this carbon is transported to the deep ocean, where it can remain trapped for millennia.
They are the essential base of the marine food chain
Plankton represent the crucial first link in the marine food chain, nourishing a large part of humanity. They feed the fish, which in turn feed humans. It takes about 1 ton of phytoplankton to produce only 100g of tuna!
Without plankton,
there would be NO FISH, NO OXYGEN, NO LIFE on Earth !
Tara Ocean Foundation: exploring to understand and protect this invisible world
Although plankton is an essential cog in the great climate machine, the functioning of this invisible world remains largely unknown for now, as well as the impacts that climate change and pollution could have on this ecosystem.
This is where the Tara Ocean Foundation steps in!
With its scientists, it sails the oceans to:
Study plankton and its connection to climate regulation.
Anticipate the impacts of climate change on marine biodiversity.
Protect these fragile ecosystems, essential to our future by closing the gap between science and society.
Want to hop on board and explore the fascinating world of plankton? : Discover Tara Ocean & Tara Microbiome missions!(Insert links to videos & mission pages)
Our dual mission:
Explore the Ocean to better understand it, Share scientific knowledge to raise public awareness”.
For 20 years, the Tara Ocean Foundation has brought together a collective of scientists, sailors, and artists from around the world committed to a better understanding and protection of the Ocean.
Our strength
Innovative Ocean science developed in partnership with leading international research laboratories, providing the largest open-access database on the planktonic ecosystem.
Our action levers
Provide teachers with educational resources
Raise public awareness of Ocean issues
Mobilise political decision-makers
Facilitate international cooperation
We need your help !
Support us and help drive powerful change for the Ocean and the planet.
Together we’ll advance science, inspire future generations and drive global action !
“The next 20 years are crucial for the future of the planet and humanity. The issue of Ocean preservation concerns us all. Only collective action will allow us to move faster.””
Romain Troublé,
Executive Director of the Tara Ocean Foundation
Amplify our actions
Starting in 2025, a fleet of two scientific vessels will study the Ocean and its incredible biodiversity and help inform essential decision-making for the Ocean.
Exploring, sharing, and protecting this living Ocean is more vital than ever!
A unique sailboat
Tara
A schooner dedicated to scientific research and environmental protection, Tara has been sailing the world’s seas and oceans since 1989.
A true ISS of the North Pole, Tara Polar Station, is a scientific observatory and laboratory that will allow the study of this extreme region, a true sentinel of global warming
The Tara Ocean Foundation needs everyone’s support to carry out its actions. Following us, sharing our actions, making a donation, or making a purchase from our shop helps us to amplify the voice of the Ocean and increase our impact.
