And when we say fresh, that’s no understatement… They come straight from Antarctica, where the leaders of the Antarctic Biolum – ESCA project are beginning their second expedition.

Thomas and Kat are currently located at the southernmost point ever reached by a vessel.

A “record” that is anything but good news:

it was made possible by the alarming retreat of the ice pack.

“We shouldn’t be able to be here,” Thom recalls, standing in front of the ice barrier of the Ross Sea.

This reality is deeply concerning, and that is precisely why this mission is essential: to document, understand, and bear witness to the transformations underway.

Thanks to your support, the team will collect unprecedented data on the Antarctic abyss, home to mysterious organisms such as the colossal squid.

The project relies on a unique innovation: ESCA, for Electronic Signalling Cephalopod Attractor — a nod to deep‑sea anglerfish and their small bioluminescent lure known as the esca.

Inspired by living systems, this device attracts species using controlled light signals, filmed in 360° by high‑resolution cameras.

A non‑invasive technology to shed (literally) light on the most mysterious depths of our planet!

Thank you and congratulations to the scientific teams for these powerful images and essential missions.

We can’t wait to share the next stages of this decisive expedition with you!