PORTRAITS

In 2020 she travelled solo from Spain to Italy by bike and kayak, covering 1,000 km and collecting 3.5 tonnes of litter on the way. In 2021 she kayaked solo down the Loire River for two months following a plastic bottle all the way to the ocean. Drawing on her physical and mental strength, Anaëlle Marot has clocked up the miles. The 28-year-old explorer recalls her childhood in Deux-Sèvres. “One of my earliest playgrounds was the little stream near my village. I was already aware of how fragile it was, and how polluted. My experience on the Erasmus programme in Sardinia confirmed what I had seen on the marine level. One of the most beautiful seas in the world was full of plastic, which I found unacceptable.”
Having obtained an MA in animal behaviour, Marot moved to Avignon to study tourism law and management, applied to social economics with the goal of sustainable development. While there, she became more socially engaged, particularly during the International Adventure and Discovery Film Festival. Watching “Le Grand Saphir” was the trigger. “I only saw male explorers, so I thought – what if I became the first female one?” Projet Azur began to take shape, with a mission to clear up our polluted waters. Since then, Marot has received support from the film crew as well as friends and family. “My circle believed in me and energised me. I can’t thank them enough.” Her biggest victory is the inspirational aspect of her actions rather than her sporting achievements. And she adds, with a smile, that after seeing “this girl in a kayak, all alone, collecting rubbish,” many people have stopped throwing away their cigarette butts and have started buying products without packaging. Having got through to individuals, her biggest challenge now will be to get through to businesses.

By Valérie Rouger

Association : Tout sur ma Mer - Localisation : Avignon - Création : 2018 - Activité : porte le Projet Azur au service de l’environnement - Présidente : Anaëlle Marot - Collaborateurs : MAIF, Lafuma, Fondation de la Mer, Gouvernement Princier de Monaco, Cyclable, Recyclop, Sauvage Méditerranée, Pique RP

Projet Azur

Founded in 2019, Projet Azur is a non-profit association that organises litter collections. The first sponsor was MAIF insurance, which has provided operational, financial and moral support. More organisations have since committed to working with Marot, including sports brand Lafuma, the Fondation de la Mer, and the Mer Terre association led by Isabelle Poitou. All have been impressed by the project’s focus on pushing your personal limits. The project continues to gain momentum, and has now become a collective of female explorers. Solène Chevreuil is the second explorer to join Anaëlle; they are assisted by a team of five experienced, benevolent “sages” who provide reassurance, and three “projectors” who work to put the association in the spotlight. Projet Azur has shown the importance of coordinating three key actors to tackle plastic waste management: citizens, business leaders and politicians.
“You can support the project by reducing your plastic consumption, taking part in our events or making a donation to help us keep raising awareness,” says the explorer.