Progress report for
Support scientific research at sea
Achievement at a glance
Monaco Explorations implemented fifteen expeditions between July 2017 and June 2020.A first phase was conducted until mid-2018 aboard RV Yersin. Four expeditions were carried out successively in Madeira (Portugal), Cabo Verde, across the Atlantic and in Malpelo (Colombia) with a focus on little known biodiversity hotspots such as isolated islands and seamounts. The scope of activities included inventorying the biodiversity from plankton to megafauna, monitoring endangered species like sea turtles, monk seals and sharks, sampling and tagging individual animals, and developing a better understanding of the chemical and biological effects of global warming.
At the end of this first phase, it was decided to expand the objectives of Monaco Explorations by bringing together scientific research, outreach, and political opportunities more closely and by relying on different maritime platforms and a wider range of international partners. In this broader context, eleven expeditions were carried out from mid-2018 to March 2020 with different partners and platforms in Colombia (two expeditions on the Caribbean coast), Norway, Martinique (French West Indies), Hawaii (USA), the Strait of Torres (Australia), New Caledonia, the Western Mediterranean (two expeditions), Palau and the Gulf of Aqaba. These expeditions focused on coral reef research, the protection of sea turtles and cetaceans, leveraging traditional knowledge to help protect the environment and the implementation of new exploration techniques such as environmental DNA and autonomous vehicles.
The expeditions involved many scientific partners from the different areas visited and contributed to advancing several research programmes. Scientific papers have begun to be published. In addition, several educational toolkits were produced and distributed in local schools as well as in schools of the Principality of Monaco. Five panel exhibitions reporting on the expeditions were presented in the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco and made available to other organizations in Paris and Marseille.
Challenges faced in implementation
Nothing significant to report.Beneficiaries
The beneficiaries of the programme were research organizations, governmental authorities, and other local stakeholders as well as the general public and schoolchildren.
Further information on Monaco Explorations web site www.monacoexplorations.org.
Actions
Monaco Explorations supported the production of scientific papers and the participation of researchers in international conferences in relation with the objectives of the different expeditions. Outreach and educational material (booklets, exhibits, short videos and documentaries) were produced and distributed.Further information on Monaco Explorations web site www.monacoexplorations.org.