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72 / MONACO OCEAN WEEK PARTNERS

MONEGASQUE ASSOCIATION FOR THE PROTECTION OF NATURE

The AMPN is an NGO in charge of managing The AMPN organizes numerous participative
Monaco’s marine protected areas. It was created science activities. Volunteer divers help to clean
in 1975 to fulfil H.S.H. Prince Rainier III’s wish to the seabed, and to count fish after receiving
preserve a section of the Monegasque coast, training in the FAST method, to monitor the
this mission being entrusted to volunteers. success of restocking. The AMPN is currently
co-developing the ECOCIMED project to collect
The AMPN created Monaco’s marine and process sea-users’ observations via social
protected areas in 1976 and 1986. networks. It also organizes information and
awareness campaigns, offering lectures, films,
The first, with a surface of 33 hectares, is located articles, exhibitions, underwater photography
to the east of the Monegasque coast bordering contests and fun activities to interest the public
the Larvotto neighbourhood. The second, with a in protecting biodiversity.
surface of 2 hectares, is situated at the opening
of Port Hercule. Thanks to the support of H.S.H. Prince Albert
II of Monaco, since 2016 the AMPN has seen
For over 40 years, the AMPN has major new developments.
implemented protection and management
measures with the help of volunteers, divers Its role as marine protected area manager has
from local clubs and the Universities of Nice, been reinforced, with the AMPN establishing
Marseille, Montpellier and Genoa. a Scientific Board and preparing a long-term
management plan for the two protected areas.
Artificial reefs have been sunk to encourage This new focus facilitates working within a
growth of flora and fauna, and new reefs made network; the AMPN is now a member of the
by 3D printer are now being built. Their design, MedPAN network of Mediterranean MPA
which mimics the complexity of the natural managers. It is also taking part in the RAMPAM
environment, will make them more effective tools project aimed at promoting networking among
for managing the seabed in coastal areas. Monaco’s MPAs and those of the Alpes-
Maritimes department to develop a tool to
A number of research programmes have also enable the integrated, sustainable management
been developed. These study the physico- of the coastal zone.
chemical characteristics of coastal water, the
dynamics of Posidonia beds, the complexity
of reefs and their impact on fish, the dynamics
of invertebrate populations, and sea urchin
reproduction. An experiment growing coral in
situ, conducted by attaching fragments from
natural red coral colonies to the walls of artificial
underwater caves, yielded excellent results with
regard to the survival and reproduction of the
colonies.

www.ampn-nature-monaco.com