Globice

Globice, whose full name is Groupe local d'observation et d'identification des cétacés, is a French non-governmental organization founded in 2001 and based in Saint-Pierre, Réunion, in the Grands Bois neighborhood. It is dedicated to the scientific study and conservation of cetaceans in Réunion and the wider Indian Ocean. The organization was created at a time when whale and dolphin watching was becoming an increasingly important tourist activity around the island, and it has since become a key reference for knowledge about the 21 species of cetaceans observed in Réunion waters. Globice is an association recognized for environmental protection since 2006 and a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Its work combines research, monitoring, and public awareness. It coordinates the national stranding network for marine mammals in Réunion, runs long-term photo-identification programs for Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins and humpback whales, and participates in biodiversity inventories such as the CéTO program on cetaceans, turtles, and seabirds. It also conducts scientific campaigns, including the NeMMO missions in the Scattered Islands and sperm whale studies in the Mascarene region. Beyond research, Globice is heavily involved in education and outreach. It intervenes in schools, trains maritime professionals, and has developed a whale-watching charter first introduced in 2003 and revised in 2009. In 2024 it launched the Balèn terla mobile application, which helps the public find observation spots, share real-time sightings, and learn about cetaceans. The organization continues to expand its programs, with recent campaigns and a new "Saison Baleines" dashboard launched in 2026.

Globice was founded in 2001 as a local group for the observation and identification of cetaceans in Réunion, a French overseas department in the Indian Ocean. The organization emerged in response to the growing tourist interest in whales and dolphins around the island, aiming to combine scientific study with conservation and public education. In 2003, it introduced a charter for approaching whales during the austral winter, which was revised in 2009 as the number of maritime professionals offering whale-watching trips increased. In 2006, Globice received official recognition as an environmental protection association and became a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). That same year, a cetologist joined the organization, allowing for the rigorous valorization of data collected at sea by volunteers and the establishment of structured scientific programs. Key initiatives include the inventory of species present in Réunion, the CéTO program (Cetaceans, Turtles, Birds) in partnership with Kélonia and the Ecomar laboratory, and long-term monitoring of the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin population around Saint-Paul Bay, where 92 individuals have been identified by their dorsal fins. Since 2010, a genetic study with the Brigade de la nature de l'océan Indien has assessed the sedentarization of this population. Globice also leads photo-identification of humpback whales using tail fluke photographs, building a catalog of 350 distinct flukes and enabling inter-annual and inter-regional comparisons with partners such as Mégaptéra in Mayotte, Cétamada in Madagascar, and the Mauritius Marine Conservation Society. Sperm whale missions in the Réunion-Mauritius area, conducted with the MMCS, have collected visual and acoustic data, including the identification of 70 tail flukes in the last mission in October 2010. The organization coordinates the national stranding network for marine mammals in Réunion. In 2024, Globice launched the Balèn terla mobile application to facilitate cetacean observation, providing real-time sighting information and educational content. In 2026, it announced the 19th NeMMO mission in the Scattered Islands and launched the "Saison Baleines" dashboard, continuing its dual mission of research and public engagement.

• 2026

  Announced 19th NeMMO mission and launched 'Saison Baleines' dashboard.

• 2024

  Launched the Balèn terla mobile application.

• 2010

  Last sperm whale mission in the Réunion-Mauritius area identified 70 tail flukes.

• 2009

  Revised the whale approach charter and conducted awareness campaigns.

• 2006

  Recognized as an environmental protection association and joined IUCN.

• 2003

  Introduced a whale approach charter for the austral winter.

• 2001

  Globice founded in Réunion.

Scientific NGO and conservation organization for cetaceans in Réunion and the Indian Ocean.

1. 1Page d'accueil - Globiceglobice.org
2. 2Globice - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Globice - Wikipédiafr.wikipedia.org