Explorations © Photos : Ameller © Photos

15 #lemag AUGUST 2017 Monaco renews with GREAT EXPLORATIONS © Photos : Ameller © Photos : 04 FOCUS Monaco Heads Towards New explorations! SUMMARY 14 ZooM ON... Energy Transition 08 PRINCE ALBERT II FOUNDATION New Vultures Aquafilm Festival First United Nations Ocean Conference 18 MONACO 26 Heritage Trees GRIMALDI FORUM Monaco, Clean Beach MONACO Monacology 2017 Carpet and Jumping Responsible Tourism Treatment of Waste 28 Convention alpine IN SHORT... FOCUS Monaco Heads Towards New explorations! Last April, H.S.H. Prince Albert II announced the launch of the MONACO EXPLORATION PROJECT, thus reviving the long tradition of missions carried out in the four corners of the planet with the purpose of advancing science, extending knowledge, and thus contributing to shaping a sustainable future. This project fits perfectly with the policy of ocean conservation carried out by the Principality… 4 The goal of this new journey? To reconcile humanity and the sea This is a major challenge which ten international scientists have taken up for this offshore survey campaign, which will last from 2017 to 2020. Some 120 years after the great maritime expeditions led by his great- great-grandfather Prince Albert I in the last century, it is with great emotion that H.S.H. Prince Albert II signaled the start of this oceanographic campaign around the world. Retracing the footsteps of his ancestor will make it possible to compare past and present data on marine and coastal ecosystems in order to determine their health. Another key challenge will be to raise public awareness, not just of these studies, but also of the threats that face the oceans today. “The greatest problems that afflict the oceans are a result of our ignorance,” declared H.S.H. Prince Albert II on the occasion of his press conference from the headquarters of the United Nations on the eve of World Ocean Day, “The deep seabed remains for the most part unexplored, the intermediate zones are almost ignored, and marine biodiversity is largely unknown. We have great difficulty understanding the phenomena which they face and we struggle to identify their effects, such as ocean acidification, pollution, in particular plastic pollution, or the weakening of some ecosystems, all of which disrupt the balance of our seas.” Having selected research programs and projects, it was time to take off aboard the Yersin, the boat of François Fiat, restructured as a science ship. It was July 27th. The ship left the port of Monaco for a 36-month journey, taking a longitudinal route between the Tropics whose first stage (August to September 2017) will lead it to Macaronesia in the Atlantic Ocean, around the Madeira (Portugal) and Cabo Verde archipelagos off the coast of Africa. Megafauna will be at the heart of these studies, conducted through direct observation, imaging, as well as marking for data collection, but also through the use of techniques such as environmental DNA. 5 FOCUS The team will also research the chemical and “Research is expensive, but the time biological effects of climate change, as well as spent at sea is essential,” declared study areas that are little known but very rich American Margaret Leinen, Director of the in biodiversity, such as seamounts. It will also Scripps Oceanographic Research Center develop programs to preserve endangered (University of California), and member of species. the SSC, “Researchers need innovative and efficient research infrastructure, as well as The multidisciplinary scientific programs and equipment at the peak of technology in their all of the equipment on board were selected field of research. This is essential to scientific by the Scientific Steering Committee, made progress to carry out inventories, take up of leading researchers from world-famous samples and make observations. Having this marine biology laboratories. Professor Patrick ship designed for science and expeditions, Rampal, President of the Monaco Science which can go anywhere, is a significant Center, an international research center opportunity which we have gained through specialized in coral based in the Principality, Monaco Explorations.” is at the head of the Committee, while Robert Calcagno, Director of the Oceanographic Having long focused on issues facing the Institute, oversees its missions. oceans, H.S.H. Prince Albert II was present in New York for the United Nations General Assembly Conference on Sustainable A few words from the Development Goal #14. Scientific Steering Committee “If the goal is to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable “The ocean is the last continent that development, I would like to use Monaco we have yet to explore,” explained Explorations to also focus on the expansion biologist Françoise Gaill (CNRS), member and development of marine protected areas,” of the Scientific Steering Committee (SSC) of declared the Sovereign of Monaco. Monaco Explorations, “Our goal here is to go to lesser-known areas, but also to the most remote areas, since our hypothesis is that these are probably refuges for biodiversity, particularly for large animals.” 6 All Aboard a “Clean Ship” Surveying the oceans can only be done Able to accommodate up to 44 people, aboard a ship that is also respectful of the including the crew, and after test campaigns in environment. François Fiat, the owner of the 2015 and 2016 in both hot and icy areas, the Yersin and a member of the Monaco Yacht Yersin is now fully operational and ready to Club since 2008, is the first ambassador launch into adventure. of “La Belle Classe Super Yachts” since 2009, for an eco-responsible development • Hull treated with a non-stick silicone of seagoing vessels and practices. He coating to prevent the use of harmful developed the ASE – Adventure, Science, Education – project, choosing to equip a chemicals modular expeditionary ship able to navigate • Exterior bridges made of resin to avoid teak on any ocean, no matter the weather. Built • Particulate filters on the exhausts in the Concarneau Yards, the Yersin was • Ability to grind, sterilize and store waste for inaugurated on June 20th, 2015 in Monaco, in the presence of H.S.H. Prince Albert II. up to 50 days for 40 people • Biological grey and black wastewater With its 6 on-board laboratories, the Yersin treatment plant (no unloading for 10 days) offers high-tech logistical and technological • Electrical consumption optimization, etc. solutions chosen by the researchers. Classified • 250 feet and 2,250 tons as a “clean ship”, the ship is today the most environmentally-neutral thermal • Maximum speed: 16 knots propulsion vessel, meeting the most stringent • Cruising speed: 12 knots. environmental requirements. 7 Parc National du Mercantour, June 2017 II LBERT A oundation F A visit to the RINCE P E H Monaco T OF Vultures On Monday 19th June, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco travelled to the Mercantour, to observe a baby vulture which hatched a few months ago in the cliff hollows on the slopes of the Col de la Bonette. he Sovereign was able to see the young Marritime have been crowned with success, with vulture on the rim of its nest, where one hatchings in the natural environment within the Tof its parents was bringing it food. The boundaries of the Parc. Another pair of vultures newly installed parents consist of a female called have been seen flying around the cliffs, not far from Bellemotte which was released into the Vercors in Saint-Etienne de Tinée - Rocca, a male and Girasol, 2012 and a male which has not yet been given a a female. They were both released in 2007 and 2008 name. respectively, in the presence of the Sovereign Prince. The pair reproduced successfully in 2015 with the The various reintroductions carried out in the hatching of a female named Aunos and then again in Parc National du Mercantour and the Parco Alpi 2016 with another female christened Tinée. 8 Mrs Colette Fabron, the Mayor of Saint Corse, June 2017 Etienne de Tinée and Mr Jean Pierre Issautier, the Mayor of Saint-Dalmas-le- Selvage, suggested that the Prince choose a name for this baby vulture himself, with one restriction only: the name should be Firlova © S. suitable for both genders since the bird’s gender has not been identified for the moment. HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco suggested calling it Bousiéyas. This is the name of a village located just a few wing flaps away from the nest. This campaign to reinforce the vulture population is supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. “In addition to existing collaborations in regard to the wild bee programme, New vulture release this day also provided an opportunity to discuss current and future potential cooperation between the Government of hildren from Niolu School christened them Ercu Monaco, the Prince Albert II of Monaco and Luna. Two young vultures aged just three Foundation and the Parc National du Cmonths old were released on 3rd June 2017 into the Mercantour. There is also a genuine desire Corsican mountains of Niolu Valley. One of the birds of to share and take the project concerning prey comes from Andalusia and the other from the Czech the reclassification of the Vallée des Republic. A similar event took place last year when a pair Merveilles a step further, by promoting of vultures were released in the same spot. for example soft mobility for ATVs by This reinforcement operation is considered to be a priority facilitating their conversion to electric”, by scientists and the managers of the European parks said Christophe Viret, Director of the Parc involved in this reintroduction programme which began in National du Mercantour. Austria in 1986. An action plan was therefore established to help save the indigenous Corsican population which is The Sovereign then visited the Bousiéyas critically endangered.

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