Philippe Valette is a Member International with the Explorers Club since 2007

Philippe is an oceanographer by profession. He has always been fascinated by the sea and by the people who make their living from it. He studied at the Pierre & Marie Curie University in Paris where his academic direction was guided by his interest in marine biology and diving. In his early career he worked for a range of ocean research laboratories, before committing himself fully to NAUSICAA.

NAUSICAA is a nationally important Sea Centre entirely dedicated to bringing the sea world to life for the general public and encouraging a more intelligent coexistence between the ocean and mankind. In the past few years he has been working to develop NAUSICA along with his other main project, the WORLD OCEAN NETWORK, internationally.

Philippe is also the current president of the World Festival of Underwater Pictures. In 2004 he received the Golden Trident award of the International Academy of Underwater Arts and Sciences. In April 2007 he co-authored the ‘ATLAS DE L’OCEAN MONDIAL’ (THE WORLD OCEAN ATLAS) with Jean-Michel COUSTEAU. The atlas focuses on the ocean’s economic, social and environmental dimensions, rather than on oceanography per se, and illustrates just how much Mankind is connected to the ocean. In addition, as the ocean is so important for the ecological balance of the planet, the Atlas also offers us a few ideas for things we can do to help the marine environment. He has also recently co-signed a book on sustainable development initiatives in Madagascar.