Program

From 9am to 12.30pm: conferences in english (on invitation)

From 2pm to 5pm: workshops in english on techniques for sampling, environmental and food monitoring of biotoxins and impacts on human health.

Coastal areas make up a large portion of a country’s wealth (tourism, fishing, transport, industry and commerce) but are subjected to relatively high anthropogenic and climatic pressure. Understanding coastal ecosystems’ ability to be resilient to, and resist, such pressure is a challenge which must both encourage environmental conservation and guarantee the sustainable development of these ecosystems.

Their functioning may be altered by harmful microalgae which can cluster in water columns or on hard substrates in coastal areas.

Many countries, including Monaco, are affected by this problem which is the focus of the UN Sustainable Development Goal 14: conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.

The IAEA, RAMOGE and IOC-SCOR GlobalHAB organised this training program which focuses on benthic microalgae bloom monitoring and management strategies. The program is geared towards scientists and environmental or food safety managers from various regions and is part of the Technical Cooperation Program in Latin America,  Asia-Pacific, the Caribbean and Africa.

Workshops in English on environmental and food chain biotoxin monitoring sampling techniques and the impacts on human health.

Coastal areas make up a large portion of a country’s wealth (tourism, fishing, transport, industry and commerce) but are subjected to relatively high anthropogenic and climatic pressure. Understanding coastal ecosystems’ ability to be resilient to, and resist, such pressure is a challenge which must both encourage environmental conservation and guarantee the sustainable development of these ecosystems.

Their functioning may be altered by harmful microalgae which can cluster in water columns or on hard substrates in coastal areas.

Many countries, including Monaco, are affected by this problem which is the focus of the UN Sustainable Development Goal 14: conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.

The IAEA, RAMOGE and IOC-SCOR GlobalHAB organised this training program which focuses on benthic microalgae bloom monitoring and management strategies. The program is geared towards scientists and environmental or food safety managers from various regions and is part of the Technical Cooperation Program in Latin America,  Asia-Pacific, the Caribbean and Africa.

The SIDS group has developed an action plan in response to climate change threats. The speakers will provide an overview of current, planned and potential industry initiatives which focus on offshore and coastal fishing, both for trade and personal consummation.

A prospective review will concentrate on information and investigation systems both for marine environments and best fishing practices, and ways to create value for these activities.

Several avenues for research and action will also be defined during the event to engage local residents in monitoring environmental changes and in implementing adapted experiments to local conditions.

Numerous factors endanger cetaceans in the Mediterranean: pollution, underwater noise pollution, risk of collision and disturbances, etc.

The photographic exhibition in the Galerie des Pêcheurs aims to raise public awareness of this issue and improve the protection of the various species.

In 1885, Andrew Dixon White, the first Cornell University president, gave the green light for 500 marine invertebrate glass models to be purchased. The models were designed and created by Leopold et Rudolf Blaschka and were intended for use in marine biology lessons. The intricate models provided teaching staff and students with an advantageous visual support for research.

Dr Drew Harvell and producer David O. Brown set off on a quest to find the living models which inspired the Cornell Blaschka collection more than 150 years ago. The film revisits the life of marine invertebrates throughout the ages and portrays the beauty, and also the fragility, of marine biodiversity. How many living species still exist out of those which were reproduced more than a century ago? How have these ancient organisms survived wide-scale pollution-generated extinction, overfishing and habitat loss?

An “Art and Science” debate will be led by Dr Harvell, Cornell University Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology marine biologist, and Nadia Ounaïs, Monaco Institute of Oceanography international relations director and Doctor of Oceanology.

Watch the trailer here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/fragilelegacy/124976614

– Workshops in English on environmental and food chain biotoxin monitoring sampling techniques and the impacts on human health.

– Field sampling demonstration at 11.30am.

Coastal areas make up a large portion of a country’s wealth (tourism, fishing, transport, industry and commerce) but are subjected to relatively high anthropogenic and climatic pressure. Understanding coastal ecosystems’ ability to be resilient to, and resist, such pressure is a challenge which must both encourage environmental conservation and guarantee the sustainable development of these ecosystems.

Their functioning may be altered by harmful microalgae which can cluster in water columns or on hard substrates in coastal areas.

Many countries, including Monaco, are affected by this problem which is the focus of the UN Sustainable Development Goal 14: conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.

The IAEA, RAMOGE and IOC-SCOR GlobalHAB organised this training program which focuses on benthic microalgae bloom monitoring and management strategies. The program is geared towards scientists and environmental or food safety managers from various regions and is part of the Technical Cooperation Program in Latin America,  Asia-Pacific, the Caribbean and Africa.

In the French Mediterranean, small-scale coastal fishing (fishing vessels of an overall length of less than 12 metres which do not use towed gear) is known as “small-trade” fishing. This sector, which represents 70 to 80% of the European fishing fleet, is overlooked and was excluded from the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) for several decades.

The alarming fish stock levels in the Mediterranean and the impacts of commercial, recreational and illegal fishing are widely known: most major commercial species are decreasing and 95% of assessed fish stocks are fished above sustainable levels. More than 300,000 people are directly employed on fishing vessels in the Mediterranean and many other indirect jobs depend on the sector. Small-trade fishing is an age-old tradition in the Mediterranean and jobs in this sector are increasingly at risk. This disastrous situation is threatening food safety, sustenance, biological diversity within marine ecosystems and cultural diversity within coastal communities.

Small-trade fishing could lead to more balanced and sustainable development in Mediterranean coastal areas if approaches are adopted, such as adequate capacity-building; financial and infrastructural support; organisational structures and sectors; policies adapted to sectoral needs, and initiatives to gather expertise and knowledge of local food culture. The Mediterranean MedFish4Ever initiative (steered by the European Commission) is an example of the type of policy change needed to ensure sustainable Mediterranean fishing.

Mediterranean countries need to urgently establish regional action plans to deal with the current situation. Governance is a key element in reversing the current trend. Co-management within MPAs has proven itself to be efficient in ensuring active involvement from all stakeholders.

This event aims to highlight the strengths and development potential of small-trade fishing in the Mediterranean and ancillary activities (catering, for example) to tackle overfishing, marine pollution, environmental, socio-economic and cultural degradation and improve

• 5pm to 5.45pm – SARGASSES, the blessings and curse of an invasive seaweed: Monaco Exploration documentary screening

A 15-minute documentary followed by a talk on the Monaco Explorations SARGASSES mission in October 2017 between Cape Verde and the West Indies. The talk will be led by Thomas Changeux (Monaco Institute of Oceanography researcher).

This session focuses on understanding why gulf weed, a brown seaweed which is an extraordinary open sea biotope – yet which creates disastrous and fatal effects on the Caribbean coastal flora and fauna, is spreading in an unprecedented manner. On this occasion, an exhibition of photographs taken in the heart of Sargasses rafts during this mission of the Monaco Explorations is to be discovered at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco.

The aim is to discover the reasons behind the problem to be able to model gulf weed open sea development, anticipate its arrival and better manage its beaching.

• 5pm to 5.45pm – CABO VERDE: Monaco Explorations documentary screening in the presence of the Cape Verde president

Following a 15-minute documentary screening, speakers will focus on the necessity of international cooperation for more efficient research and results. The “Cabo Verde” mission is a perfect example.

The Monaco Explorations provided logistic and technical support and identified the necessary skilled experts for Cabo Verde, a mission which involved German, Cape Verdean, French and Portuguese researchers who rolled out analytical tools, sample collecting, species identification, marine biodiversity studies and teaching programmes.

Jorge Carlos Fonseca, Cabo Verde president and Peter Herzig, GEOMAR director (German Centre for Ocean Research) will focus on the dynamic collaboration with Robert Calcagno, Monaco Explorations head of programmes.

Cory Trépanier is a Canadian landscape artist reputed for his oil paintings of the great Canadian outdoors. He has also created films of his travels in the Canadian Arctic.

Into The Arctic began in 2006. Trépanier’s final film in the trilogy wraps up a decade of exploring, painting and filming the Canadian Arctic.

It follows his fourth Arctic expedition when he covered 25,000kms, explored and painted the 1845 Franklin expedition gravesite on Beechey Island and canoed the Thomsen River.

The film deals with problems in the Arctic and aims to raise public awareness.

From 9am to 11.30am: conferences

From 11.30am to 12.30pm: closing plenary session and conclusions of the workshops.

Coastal areas make up a large portion of a country’s wealth (tourism, fishing, transport, industry and commerce) but are subjected to relatively high anthropogenic and climatic pressure. Understanding coastal ecosystems’ ability to be resilient to, and resist, such pressure is a challenge which must both encourage environmental conservation and guarantee the sustainable development of these ecosystems.

Their functioning may be altered by harmful microalgae which can cluster in water columns or on hard substrates in coastal areas.

Many countries, including Monaco, are affected by this problem which is the focus of the UN Sustainable Development Goal 14: conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.

The IAEA, RAMOGE and IOC-SCOR GlobalHAB organised this training program which focuses on benthic microalgae bloom monitoring and management strategies. The program is geared towards scientists and environmental or food safety managers from various regions and is part of the Technical Cooperation Program in Latin America,  Asia-Pacific, the Caribbean and Africa.

Environmental protection is a priority for the Principality of Monaco: in 2014, the Directorate of Maritime Affairs, the Department of the Environment, and the SEPM (Monaco ports management company) committed to the Biohut project to support fish stock conservation.

The Directorate of Maritime Affairs decided to equip its two ports (Hercule and Fontvieille) with around forty marine nurseries (Biohuts). The artificial habitats were installed under the piers so as to not disturb navigation and at a distance from the refuelling docks. Only a few Biohuts were placed near the docks so that they are visible to the public.

Three years of scientific analysis have provided encouraging results and the hairy blenny, a very rare species, has been sighted.

Two Monaco school classes will attend a Biohut presentation and will be able to meet the divers.

The monk seal is named for its folds of skin that somewhat resemble a monk’s black cowl. In the past, monk seals were common in the Mediterranean, the Black Sea and the north Atlantic but have become endangered over the years by habitat loss, becoming caught in fishing nets and other human activities. Monk seals are currently considered as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List.

How can we protect this mammal species which has now dwindled to less than 700 individuals and which risks extinction if action is not taken?

The morning will be devoted to presenting specific projects, which are geared towards local challenges, to the various foundations, and the afternoon to discussions on future actions which could be jointly led by stakeholders: governments, associations, etc.

Sailor Yvan Griboval successfully led the first “OceanoScientific” expedition in the winter of 2016-2017 during his solo world yacht tour. Yvan sailed solo for 152 days, 60 of which were spent on an oceanographic expedition in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current under the three main capes: Bonne-Espérance, Leeuwin and Cap Horn.

Under Yvan’s guidance, the event brings together Philippe Lebaron, Director of the Observatoire Océanologique de Banyuls sur mer, Jean-Marc Fromentin, Researcher at Ifremer and Corine Pelluchon, Professor of philosophy at Paris-Est-Marne-la-Vallée University, three renowned actors committed to solutions for the sustainable exploitation of the Ocean for future generations, on various themes: the ocean from a scientific point of view, humans and the sea, future renewable energies, ocean benefits for medicine and sustenance for future generations and how to establish a transversal vision of future ocean use.

Why are sponsors drawn to environmental funds? During this event, global Environmental Funds feedback will be analysed to improve understanding of sponsors’ needs and expectations.

Agenda:

• Environmental Funds initiatives in Latin America, Africa and the Mediterranean.
• Linking institutional sponsors and private foundations.
• Developing cooperation and information sharing between the various international environmental funds.

The Friends of Ocean Action brings together some of the world’s most committed and influential activists, business-leaders and thought-leaders to help shape global action to help save the Ocean. It is co-chaired by the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean, Peter Thomson, and Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden Isabella Lövin. This multi-stakeholder global network will advance a set of high level, impactful initiatives, partnerships and solutions to help meet the UN’s Ocean Goal and Ocean targets. Four of these targets are maturing in 2020, and as such urgent action is required to ensure that they are on track in time for the proposed UN Ocean Conference in 2020.  Mobilization of impactful Ocean action by the Friends will be essential not only for the 2020 targets to be reached, but to maintain the much needed momentum to get to 2030 when all the targets will need to be met. In this Inaugural Event the Friends of Ocean Action will convene to identify key Ocean issues and their associated solution areas for action.

This Beyond Plastic Med event aims to raise awareness of plastic pollution and its effects on the ocean in a fun way for schoolchildren aged 9 to 12.

Children will learn, through a range of interactive quizzes, about the extent of ocean plastic pollution and how it affects humans and the environment: “Tide surprises”, “Sea quiz”, “Ocean heros”, “Message in a bottle” and “Waste deterioration time”.

Each child will be given a copy of Le Schtroumpfrider (The Smurfrider), a booklet on aquatic waste, to take home.

Responsible ocean development projects abound but often fail to gather sufficient funding. Besides state and philanthropic organisation contributions, support from investors and financial players is key to consolidating ocean protection actions.

This event has been co-organised by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and its partners. It will be hosted by a range of speakers (CEO, asset management consultant and venture capital investor, etc.) who will discuss themes such as transport, offshore renewable energies, sustainable fishing, energy transition plan funding and maritime activities.

Plastic pollution in oceans is one of the most worrying ecological catastrophes for our future. Once a piece of plastic has been thrown away, it can take up to 500 years to disintegrate.

The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, together with Surfrider Foundation Europe, the Tara Expeditions Foundation, the MAVA Foundation and the IUCN, decided to tackle plastic pollution in ecosystems, marine resources, water quality and public health and created “Beyond plastic Med” (BeMed), a task force to raise public awareness and develop concrete actions.

In January 2017, BeMed appealed to all Mediterranean countries to create micro-initiatives to gather financial support for local projects which reduce plastic pollution in river banks and the sea.

During the event, this year’s winners will have three minutes to individually present their projects and will meet the 2017 project winners.

Valence, Banyuls, Gênes and Tunis aquariums and Bâle Zoo, etc. Around thirty participants are expected to attend this event which aims to:

• Present and enhance the Monaco Institute of Oceanography (IO) European and international aquarium network development to create sustainable funding for the Mediterranean Protected Areas Association (M2PA).
• Organise the official signing of the M2PA and IO partnership agreement.
• Run a brainstorming and experience-sharing workshop on the theme of raising public awareness of Marine Protected Areas.

Plastic pollution in oceans is one of the most worrying ecological catastrophes for our future. Once a piece of plastic has been thrown away, it can take up to 500 years to disintegrate.

The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, together with Surfrider Foundation Europe, the Tara Expeditions Foundation, the MAVA Foundation and the IUCN decided to tackle plastic pollution in ecosystems, marine resources, water quality and public health and created “Beyond plastic Med” (BeMed), a task force to raise public awareness and develop concrete actions.

In January 2017, BeMed appealed to all Mediterranean countries to create micro-initiatives to gather financial support for local projects which reduce plastic pollution on river banks and in the sea.

During this event, the 2017 project winners will present the results of their actions and will share their experience with the 2018 winners.

Environmental protection is a priority for the Principality of Monaco: in 2014, the Directorate of Maritime Affairs, the Department of the Environment, and the SEPM (Monaco ports management company) committed to the Biohut project to support fish stock conservation.

The Directorate of Maritime Affairs decided to equip its two ports (Hercule and Fontvieille) with around forty marine nurseries (Biohuts). The artificial habitats were placed under the piers so as to not disturb navigation and at a distance from the refuelling docks. Only a few Biohuts were placed near the docks so that they are visible to the public.

Three years of scientific study have provided encouraging results and the hairy blenny, a very rare species, has been sighted.

This project is open to the public, specialists will be available to answer questions.

The main aim of this programme is to provide the science community with data and information about bluefin tuna behavioural patterns to develop our knowledge about the species, improve assessments and stock management. To date, ICCAT has not run a tagging programme in the GSA 7 (southern France and the Gulf of Lion); the results of this project will contribute major added value.

The project is backed by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and will be led by the WWF and the Monaco Sea Fishing Federation. The operation will alert recreational fishers to the importance of tagging and the best practices for survival after capture and release.

Electronic and traditional tagging techniques will be presented during the event.