The Shelltone
A meeting, a song... The origin of our organisation.
The origin of Shelltone Whale Project
Ct was in Maui, Hawaii, in 1981, that Pierre Lavagne de Castellan first heard about the Koholas, the singing guardians of the ocean. This discovery marked the start of a unique adventure, at the crossroads of science, music and respect for cetaceans.
Fascinated by the songs of humpback whalesPierre was captivated by the exceptional quality of their music: complex harmonies, incredible range, and a deep sense that these songs had a meaning, a specific purpose, perhaps even a spiritual dimension. It was clear that these melodies did not simply exist to please the human ear; they played an essential role in the lives of these marine giants.
Initial research...
Like many others at the time, Pierre Lavagne de Castellan wondered about the meaning of these songs and the whales' communication mechanisms. Since the 1960s, pioneers had been researching these issues, even going so far as to attempt to "understand" the songs of whales. interspecies communication experiments. Some used musical instruments from boats, imitating the practices of the first peoples, while others relied on advanced technologies: underwater microphones, digital recordings, and today, artificial intelligence.
However, for Pierre, the technological and remote approach was not enough. He felt the need toa more authentic, more respectful connection. Communicating with whales could only be done by sharing their element, by being underwater, and by using a universal language: the music. This gave rise to the idea of creating an instrument capable of reproducing the songs of whalesin their frequencies and tessitura, to create a musical dialogue with them.
The creation of Shelltone
In 2002, Pierre Lavagne de Castellan designed the Shelltonea revolutionary instrument designed specifically for playing underwater. After two years of research between Stanford University in California and the acoustics laboratory at École Centrale de Nantes, the Shelltone was born. This instrument has enabled the first real underwater musical interactions between a human and a humpback whale, paving the way for a new form of inter-species communication.
Triton Pacifica
First 3D images
The steel mould
The Shelltone
Incredible discoveries
These experiments have revealed an unsuspected richness. Why do whales sing? The first clues have emerged: their ability to use sound to heal, stimulate reproduction and even improve the nutritional quality of their food. These discoveries, made as a result of these musical exchanges, are now at the heart of the research carried out by the Shelltone Whale Project.
A book, The message is in the songwill soon tell the story of this extraordinary adventure.
A mission of respect and preservation
40 years of interaction with whalesPierre Lavagne de Castellan understood the vital importance of respectful approach techniques. The more confidence cetaceans feel, the more they share rare moments of intimacy.. Conversely, intrusive practices motivated by profit disturb these animals and endanger their well-being.
That's why Shelltone Whale Project works to promote whale watching bases run by enthusiasts who respect cetaceans and their environment. By selecting ethical operators and raising public awareness, thehe project ensures that whale watching is carried out in a spirit of conservation and kindness..
"Choose Respect
The future of cetaceans depends on our ability to understand and protect them. Whether through interspecies research or promoting respectful observation, Shelltone Whale Project is committed to defending the great singers of the oceans.
If you choose a whale watching base, choose one that respects cetaceans.
Shelltone Whale Project - "Choose Respect".
Pierre Lavagne de Castellan
Research Director of Shelltone Whale Project
