A "hospital" for turtles under the Antibes sun

In response to the surge of human-driven threats in the Mediterranean, this partnership with the Émergence association has become vital. It combines emergency veterinary care for injured turtles with scientific research on anthropogenic threats—a concrete commitment that transforms every rescue into a tool for education and advocacy for the survival of French marine biodiversity.

Did you know that the sea turtle is one of our oceans' greatest travelers, but also one of the most fragile sentinels of their ecosystem?

In the Mediterranean, these ambassadors of the sea face very real threats: marine pollution, plastic ingestion, entanglement in fishing nets, and vessel collisions.

For the Vilebrequin Foundation, taking action for the ocean means being present where the need is most immediate. This is why we are proud to support the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (CRFS) in Antibes, managed by the Émergence association.

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A « hospital» for turtles under the Antibes sun
Nestled on a protected site belonging to the Conservatoire du Littoral, the CRFS is much more than a care center: it is an emergency facility and a unique convalescence home on the French Mediterranean coast. Due to its expertise and specialized equipment, all turtles found injured or in distress along the coastline are sent here for treatment. Here, a team of passionate experts works seven days a week to welcome these patients in distress.

National expertise serving the French Mediterranean

The Émergence Association does more than just provide medical care; it holds a central position in France's conservation strategy. Mandated by the Ministry of Ecological Transition, it coordinates the French Mediterranean Sea Turtle Network (RTMMF). Supported by public partners such as the OFB (French Biodiversity Agency), Émergence conducts large-scale ecological monitoring programs. These include tracking marine protected areas, monitoring nesting activities on beaches since their return in 2023, and surveying waste accumulation along the coastline. This pivotal role allows the association to guide environmental policies and contribute to species preservation initiatives.

Making waste « talk » to better protect

But healing is not enough. The Émergence Association transforms every patient into a unique scientific opportunity. By analyzing the waste ingested by the turtles brought to the center, scientists gather direct evidence of the pollution choking our waters.
These turtles become bio-indicators : what they have in their stomachs tells us the true state of the Mediterranean's health. This data is then shared with national and European institutions (through the INDICIT program) to steer policies in the fight against marine litter.

Passing the Torch to Tomorrow's Ambassadors

At the Vilebrequin Foundation, we share a deep conviction with Émergence: safeguarding the oceans depends on education. Beyond medical care, our partnership includes a strong educational component. Through school interventions and the sharing of exclusive content on our educational platform, we help children understand how our daily actions impact the lives of these giants of the sea. Visit our educational platform

Every turtle that returns to the open sea is a message of hope: healing today, understanding tomorrow, and passing on the torch forever.

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