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24 / THE PRINCIPALITY’S COMMITMENT TO OCEAN

Bathymetry at the service

of sustainable development

In the framework of the Monaco Ocean Week, the International

Hydrographic Organization held a conference on the importance

of studying bathymetry as a tool for sustainable development.

“We know much more about the surface The IHO is therefore developing a global
of the moon or Mars than we do about the participative bathymetry centre based on SUSTAINABLE
ocean depths,” deplored Gilles Bessero, data-sharing by all sea users through an
director of the International Hydrographic online interface. The idea is simple: every DEVELOPMENT
Organization. “To protect the ocean, it is es- seagoing vessel is equipped with a depth
sential that we improve our knowledge.” sounder and precise satellite tracking; CONCERNS ALL
gathering and sharing this data will enhance
To that end, in recent years the IHO has knowledge of the sea floor. This instrument is ACTIVITIES IN THE
actively promoted improvement of sea and designed to be used by all, from commercial
ocean mapping within the framework of ap- and fishing vessels to pleasure boaters. SEA.
plication of international instruments such as
the International Convention for the Safety of Another development focus is to improve In accordance with the 2030 Agenda for
Life at Sea and the United Nations Conven- coastal bathymetry thanks to satellite images Sustainable Development, the IHO’s strategy
tion on the Law of the Sea. The goal is to of the Earth. Observation satellites are in- is to achieve recognition of bathymetry as a
facilitate access to hydrographic data for all creasingly numerous and increasingly pre- contributor to the goal of sustainable ocean
those interested in the sea. The IHO above cise, making them excellent reconnaissance use. To that end we must constantly im-
all is committed to broadening awareness of tools. Satellite altimetry techniques are also prove our precise knowledge of bathymetry
the importance of hydrography, and to assist very useful for identifying sea mounts in the and ensure it is easily accessible despite the
those countries without the means to main- deep seas. security and defence constraints in certain
tain a hydrographic service. Only one third zones, to enable development of new com-
of coastal states have such a service today, munication and energy models. “Designing
whereas in many areas of Africa, the Carib- “Today, only 10% of the sea renewable energy installations using cur-
bean or the Pacific, charts have not been rents, tides or swells requires precise data,”
updated since the 1960’s. In certain oceanic floor is mapped beyond a Gilles Bessero notes. “The first among these
zones, measures are many hundreds of kilo- depth of 200 metres” is depth.”
metres apart.
Gilles Bessero, director

of the IHO