The Institute receives a Coco de Mer, a rare species emblematic of the Seychelles.
- Reading time: 8 min
- Date: March 27, 2024
L’Oceanographic Institute, in partnership with Seychelles Islands Foundation (S.I.F.) and the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Seychelles in Monaco, organized an official ceremony to hand over a Coco de mer seed, a rare and emblematic species. The event was held on Saturday, June 29, 2024, at the Monaco Oceanographic Museum, in the “Oceanomania” section, the world’s largest cabinet of marine curiosities.
Importance of the coco de mer, an endemic palm on the Seychelles islands of Praslin and Curieuse.
VisitSea coconut (Lodoicea maldivica) is a palm famous for producing the largest seed in the plant kingdom. It plays a crucial role in its ecosystem, providing habitat, food and breeding grounds for many local species. The Seychelles Islands Foundation (S.I.F.) manages a large part of the Coco de mer population in sites such as Vallée de Mai, Fond Peper and the Fond Ferdinand reserve.
For over 15 years, the S.I.F. has been actively working to conserve the Coco de mer. Thanks to their efforts, the species was downgraded from “Vulnerable” to “Endangered” on the IUCN Red List in 2011. In 2023, with the support of the Franklinia Foundation, the S.I.F. identified around 5,800 Coco de mer trees. Although their numbers have increased, the species remains threatened by fire, poaching, invasive alien species and climate change.
photo credit ©Aude Hurstel _ AudePhotoGraph
Award ceremony at Monaco Oceanographic Museum
Mr Jean-François NOARO, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Seychelles in Monaco, declared: ” This ceremony is a valuable opportunity to raise awareness of Coco de mer conservation and celebrate our unique natural heritage. » By integrating the Monaco Oceanographic Museum, the Coco de mer specimen will be presented to visitors to the “Temple de la Mer”, within the cabinet of curiosities “Oceanomania“, designed by artist Mark Dion in 2011.
This event marks an important step in raising awareness of the conservation of the Sea coconut and a celebration of Seychelles’ unique biodiversity.
For this event, the institute would like to thank :
- Honorary Consul General of the Seychelles in Monaco, Jean-François NOARO
- Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Seychelles, H.E. Mr. Kenneth Racombo
- Dr Frauke Fleischer-Dogler, CEO of the Seychelles Islands Foundation
- Mr Laurence Romano, Trustee of the Seychelles Islands Foundation
- Ms Julie Donati, Advisor to the Cabinet of H.S.H. The Prince.
- Ms Shaniah Dick, Miss Seychelles 2023
- Marie-Laure Viebel, visual artist
- Mr Xavier Prache, Director of Explorations Monaco
