The Shelltone
An encounter, a song... The origin of our environmental organization.
The origin of Shelltone Whale Project
It was in Maui, Hawaii, in 1981, that Pierre Lavagne de Castellan first heard of 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 song of humpback whales, Pierre was captivated by the exceptional quality of their music: complex harmonies, unheard-of tessitura, and a deep sense that these songs had a meaning, a specific purpose, perhaps even a spiritual dimension. It was obvious that these melodies didn't just exist to please the human ear; ; they played an essential role in the lives of these marine giants.
Initial research...
Like many at the time, Pierre Lavagne de Castellan wondered about the meaning of these songs and the whales' communication mechanisms. Since the 1960s, a number of pioneers had been researching these subjects, even going so far as to attempt to "understand" them. interspecies communication experiments. Some used musical instruments from boats, imitating the practices of primitive 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 to’a 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. That's how the idea of creating an instrument capable of reproducing the songs of whales, in their frequencies and tessitura, to engage in musical dialogue with them.
The creation of Shelltone
In 2002, Pierre Lavagne de Castellan designed the Shelltone, a revolutionary instrument designed specifically for playing underwater. After two years of research between Stanford University in California and the acoustic 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 mold
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, born of these musical exchanges, now form the core of the research conducted by the Shelltone Whale Project.
A book, The message is in the song, will soon report on this extraordinary adventure.
A mission of respect and preservation
40 years of interaction with whales, Pierre 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, profit-driven practices 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 preservation and kindness..
«Choose Respect»
The future of cetaceans depends on our ability to understand and protect them. Whether through cross-species research or the promotion of 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
Shelltone Whale Project Research Director
