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Xavier Sticker Why is this Trust Fund necessary for
French Ambassador for the Environment Mediterranean MPAs?
It’s not enough to create MPAs; they must also
be managed, to ensure effective environmental
protection and to foster sustainable development
that benefits local populations. In the
Mediterranean, most MPAs are under-financed,
particularly along the southern edge. Yet MPAs
need regular funds to cover operating expenses
necessary to their survival such as the purchase
of surveillance equipment and fuel, maintenance,
cooperation and scientific monitoring. The M2PA
Trust Fund is a joint initiative of Monaco, Tunisia and
France whose aim is to respond to these needs by
supporting Mediterranean MPAs over the long term.
A trust fund for How will the Fund ensure this sustainable
Mediterranean financing?
The Fund is raising capital whose returns will
MPAs finance MPAs’ expenses on a regular basis. For
now, the Principality of Monaco has contributed
€500,000, with additional funding from philanthropy
and sponsorship: €400,000 from the Leonardo
DiCaprio Foundation and several tens of thousands
For over 40 years now they have benefited from of Euros from a 5-cent donation for each ticket sold
optimal surveillance by the Maritime and Airport by Monaco’s Oceanographic Museum and the
Police Division, the Monegasque Association for Basel Zoo. This endowment will soon be increased
the Protection of Nature, which manages Mona- thanks to contributions from major development
co’s Marine Protected Areas, the Maritime Affairs organizations. The Fund also hopes to attract
Directorate and the local population. “At the private sector contributors. Participating in MPA
request of H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince, a mana- funding can be a profitable investment: a well-
gement plan is being developed to reinforce the managed area is an asset for tourism, fishing
effectiveness of Monaco’s MPAs,” Jacqueline and boating.
Gautier-Debernardi indicated.
What projects is the Fund supporting?
The establishment of a Scientific Board and The Fund decided to make its first grants to two
constant collaboration with research institutes pilot projects, one in Tunisia’s Kuriat Islands off of
enable specific monitoring of changes in biodiver- Monastir and the other in Morocco’s Al Hoceima
sity as well as innovative research programmes, National Park. Other pilot projects will follow while
such as creating artificial reefs with a 3D printer to waiting for the Fund to achieve the capacity for
use as customized tools for restoration and ma- more systematic financial support of Mediterranean
nagement of the coastal zone. MPAs. One prerequisite is that the States of the
region request the Fund’s assistance.
Monaco MPA managers work within the Once the Fund is at full capacity, it will be the only
MedPAN* network. They are also developing the environmental fund covering an entire sea. Ours is
RAMPAM** network to increase effectiveness a participative approach: in our operations, we work
of small MPAs in urban environments, together in partnership with national MPA agencies,
with the ECOMERS laboratory. Scientific data are the MPAs concerned and civil society organizations.
essential to evaluating the effectiveness of marine Ideally our funding is in complement to existing
area management, as is funding, to strengthen resources.
monitoring and enforcement capacity and ensure
MPAs are able to fulfil their marine conservation
mission.
* network of Mediterranean MPA managers
** network of Marine Protected Areas of the Alpes Maritimes department and Monaco
