It was in 1989 that Daniel Méouchy created Objectif Atlantide, with the idea of organizing events in the world of scuba diving that combine games and environmental protection. « I was concerned about the protection of the seabed long before it became a trend« , comments Daniel. « Objectif Atlantide is above all about regular meetings with enthusiasts of the underwater world, with whom I shared moments of great intensity. It is first and foremost a human adventure, there are organizers who have been part of the team for 30 years. »
From the very first concept of the « treasure hunt » to the creation of the underwater investigation in 2018, this anniversary is an opportunity to look back at the events that have involved several thousand divers around the world.International treasure huntThis underwater event, which brought together between 45 and 60 participants at each edition between 1990 and 2010, allowed teams to experience a unique adventure in different countries. » From the Lérins Islands in France to Rodrigues Island in the Indian Ocean, via Cuba or Djibouti, the idea was to let divers experience the same emotions and passions that real treasure hunters feel« , recounts Daniel Méouchy. During this adventure, participants also had a naturalistic mission of seabed cleaning called « green flag. »
Naturalist treasure hunt in the Mediterranean – discovery of the seabedFrom 2003 to 2017, this underwater treasure hunt simultaneously involved several cities on the Mediterranean coast over a period of 4 to 12 months depending on the year. This event was for a long time the most important in the world of diving, both by the number of participants (up to over 23,000 participants in 2007!) and by its duration.
The Rando Subaquatique TourLaunched during the summer of 2008, the Rando Subaquatique Tour – whose main partner since its inception is the FFESSM – has enjoyed great media and popular success. To date, thousands of people have participated in this event combining the discovery of the marine environment with snorkeling and beach activities. This event, which took place this summer from July 6th to 16th from Palavas-les-Flots to Toulon, aims to raise awareness among a wider public about the underwater environment and to introduce scuba diving to newcomers.Objectif Atlantide Youngsters Approved by the National Education, this association has created educational tools (films, DVDs, kits…) about the underwater environment. From 2004 to 2014, it carried out awareness-raising operations for teenagers on the preservation of the marine environment in middle and high schools in Bouches-du-Rhône and Var. Each of these events concluded with a naturalist treasure hunt.
These school operations were complemented each year by a naturalist treasure hunt organized at the National Navy’s diving school (Saint-Mandrier) for about forty young divers coming from all over France.Photo caption at the top of the page : naturalist treasure hunt for youngsters at the National Navy’s diving school in 2006. A weekend every year with teams of 2 youngsters and 1 instructor who would spend a weekend in Saint-Mandrier. © Patrick Louisy.Naturalist underwater investigations in the PhilippinesThe latest creation from the boundless imagination of Daniel Méouchy and his teams, an atypical event in the diving world was born in May 2018 in the Philippines: the underwater investigation takes place each year in a different location in this country known for its diving (Cabilao Island in 2018, Puerto Galera Island in 2019).
« I appreciated understanding what I see under the sea, finding my way better among aquatic organisms, rediscovering underwater nature, its organization, its function… Thanks to Objectif Atlantide, I’ve gained a new perspective! » This is essentially what participants say, thrilled by this fun way to become more familiar with marine life (see in issue no. 17 of Plongez! a report behind the scenes of this underwater investigation). This game works like a real police investigation, with the specificity of focusing on underwater investigations.
