A global ocean expedition following the example of late undersea explorer Jacques Cousteau is expected to help understand how pollution and overfishing affect the world's seas, organizers said Thursday.

The expedition's sailing vessel will start on July 11 in Marseilles, France, for a round-the-world trip to explore some of the planet's most threatened marine eco-regions, said Ronald Menzel, director of the nonprofit Swiss-based Antinea Foundation, which set up the tour.

"This ship will bring concrete reports from the spots ... on what exactly is happening," said Albert Falco, a diver who worked on Cousteau's ocean-exploration vessel Calypso for nearly 40 years.

Cousteau shared his undersea adventures with millions of TV viewers worldwide, leaving his mark as great adventurer, filmmaker and environmentalist on generations. He died in 1997.

The 10-year expedition named Changing Oceans will carry out research projects in more than 100 marine reserves that UNESCO and WWF consider of vital importance for human life on Earth.

The projects include observing the behavior of blue sharks and sea turtles by attaching cameras to them and collecting data about noise pollution in the depths of the sea, said Menzel.

The expedition, which has been set up in cooperation with the International Union for Conservation of Nature and UNESCO, will cost 5 million Swiss francs ($4.7 million) per year.

People can follow the expedition over a Web site where they can also pose questions to the crew members of the boat.

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On the Net:

http://www.antinea-foundation.org