SEA MEDITERRANEAN : MONACO'S EXPLORATIONS
After the Indian Ocean mission in 2022, Monaco Explorations will begin a new chapter in the Mediterranean in autumn 2025 aboard the MODX 70-01. This ambitious program, is part of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Sciences for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), is part of the ” 30×30″ commitment , made at COP15 of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity: 30% marine and coastal protected areas by 2030. This program, which aims to promote government cooperation, science and mediation will run for several years, under the impetus of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco.H.S. H. Prince Albert II of Monaco , thus reaffirming the Principality ‘ s long-standing commitment to protecting the Mediterranean.
“The Monaco Explorations’ ambition is to shine a spotlight on the urgency and importance of accelerated development and effective management of Marine Protected Areas in the Mediterranean”.
Xavier Prache,
Director of Monaco Explorations.
GOVERNMENTCOOPERATION,
SCIENCE AND MEDIATION
The Mediterranean Missions aim to meet two objectives: to promote the development of Marine Protected Areas wherever possible, and to help improve management of existing ones where necessary. Collect crucial scientific data on the biodiversity and health of marine marine ecosystems to enhance the knowledge of Marine Protected Area managers and feed major major scientific programs on a Mediterranean scale is another essential element to help make decisions and choose the right environmental policies. Finally, it ‘s essential to involve the general public, including sea users , who are increasingly sensitive to conservation issues, as well as private-sector players in supporting MPAs.
*MOD 70-01
An innovative, environmentally-friendly catamaran.
Powered 100% by renewable energy to minimize carbon emissions.
Length: 21m
Can accommodate a team of 6 to 8 passengers (scientists, technicians, artists, etc.).
At each stop, he will receive schoolchildren, the media, business leaders, political decision-makers …
MICROBIOME MEASUREMENT
Seawater contains between 10 and 100 billion organisms per liter. Knowing and understanding the biodiversity of this invisible living planet is one of the great scientific challenges of the future. Explorations de Monaco will be collaborating with the “Plankton Planet” program program, which promotes a new generation of “frugal” measuring instruments, in other words: inexpensive, space-saving and usable by all sea users (scientists, sailors, yachtsmen, etc.). The ultimate aim is to create a universal measure of aquatic biodiversity.
COASTAL FISH WATCHING
The use of cameras ( BRUVS technology for Baited Remote Underwater Video System) which can be be placed on the seabed or left suspended under a boat , will provide a will provide an excellent means of observing fish behavior and fish behavior and census populations. Among other things, these cameras will make it possible to compare what happens inside and outside a Marine Protected Area.
DATA COLLECTION AS CLOSE TO THE COAST AS POSSIBLE
The use of surface drones, remotely controlled from the boat or programmed in advance, will provide, thanks to an echo-sounder, bathymetric mapping of the seabed to a depth of 50 meters, make an inventory of species in a given area and take seawater samples for environmental DNA analysis. These are all useful elements for MPA managers to know the reality of the issues of the issues linked to the area for which they are responsible.
RECOVERY AND DEPLOYMENT OF ARGO FLOATS
This participation in the international BGC-Argo program aims to study, using robotic profilers, the interaction between geochemical compounds and living organisms. These expensive floats use highly sophisticated techniques to measure numerous parameters (oxygen, temperature, salinity…). The aim is twofold: to deploy new floats throughout the ship’s journey in the Mediterranean and recycle end-of-life floats back into service.
THE RED THREAD OF MEDIATION
A mediation program will also accompany the mission with the exhibition “Time for action: Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas ” , complemented by an educational educational program for visiting schoolchildren. Its digital adaptation will be offered on board the ship and will enable, all the way to the Greek islands, raise public awareness of MPA issues , including among the younger generation. An immersive workshop, developed by the Institut océanographique de Monaco, invite participants to dive into a Marine Protected Area Protected Marine Area to admire a vulnerable but omnipresent biodiversity. Other workshops will lead participants to reflect on the environmental issues environmental issues affecting the Mediterranean and the threats they face, inviting them to propose strong commitmentsin favor of better protection and management, to marvel at the richness and diversity of plankton, the basis of all marine life.
MEDITERRANEAN SEA
THE ONLY
MEDITERRANEAN SEA
MONACO IS COMMITTED
MEDITERRANEAN SEA
THE MONACO EXPLORATIONS
MEDITERRANEAN SEA
THE INSTITUTE'S ACTIONS
