Départ de Gilles Bessero et arrivée de Xaier Prache à la direction des Explorations de Monaco_20230904©Michel Dagnino_Institut océanographique

Xavier Prache succeeds Gilles Bessero

Xavier Prache succeeds Gilles Bessero as head of Société des Explorations de Monaco. A new page has been turned with the retirement of Gilles Bessero. Xavier Prache, Commissaire des armées and previously head of the support group at the Toulon defense base, succeeded him as director on Friday September 1, 2023.
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The “Multiple perspectives” exhibition is moving

Following its recent presentation in the Conference Room of Monaco's Oceanographic Museum, the "Multiple perspectives" exhibition will continue throughout the summer of 2023 on the railings of St Martin's Gardens, close to the Prince's Palace, with the collaboration of the Direction des Affaires Culturelles and the Direction de l'Aménagement Urbain de Monaco.
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Flotteurs BGC Argo à bord du S.A. Agulhas II. Mission océan Indien des Explorations de Monaco©Thomas Jessin. IMEV. CNRS

“Adopt a float” event

The "Adopt a Float" day on 22 June 2023 at the Institut de la mer in Villefranche-sur-Mer (Sorbonne University/CNRS) was attended by a host of VIPs. Six classes, around 150 pupils, from Joseph Caldéroni primary school in Villefranche-sur-Mer have adopted "Bob-the-float" over the course of the school year. Supervised by scientific mediators and their teachers, they followed his scientific journey.
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Ocean Census Launch

Launch of the Ocean Census project

Ocean Census, the largest and most ambitious global program in history to accelerate the discovery and census of life in the oceans, was launched in London on April 27, 2023. Following on from the support that the Principality of Monaco gave to the "Census of Marine Life 2010" project, the Société des Explorations de Monaco is committing itself on behalf of its stakeholders as a founding partner of the Ocean Census project.
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Who are we?

Monaco Explorations: reconciling humanity and the sea

Les Explorations de Monaco is a platform for H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco’s commitment to the knowledge, sustainable management and protection of the ocean.
Madeira - Macaronesia Expedition

Cabo Verde - Macaronesia Expedition

Sargasso Expedition 2017

Martinique Expedition 2017-2018

Malpelo Expedition 2018

Santa Marte Expedition - Colombia

Norway Expedition 2018

Hawaï Expedition 2018

New Caledonia Expedition 2019

Gombessa V Expedition 2019

Palaos Expedition 2019

ENCOR Expedition 2019

Sphyrna odyssey Expedition 2019

Badu Expedition 2018

Indian Ocean Expedition 2022

What do we do?

Monaco Explorations aims to carry out international collaborative missions that combine scientific research, public outreach and government cooperation. The main themes that guide its action concern the protection of megafauna, the protection of corals, new exploration technologies and the development of marine protected areas.

Indian Ocean Expedition

The new Monaco Explorations expedition to the Western Indian Ocean is the first stage of the “Monaco Explorations” project, approved in the framework of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Sciences for Sustainable Development 2021-2030. The geographical area studied from October to November 2022 is located between Reunion, Mauritius and the Seychelles.

News

Xavier Prache succeeds Gilles Bessero as head of Société des Explorations de Monaco. A new page has been turned with the retirement of Gilles Bessero. Xavier Prache, Commissaire des armées and previously head of the support group at the Toulon defense base, succeeded him as director on Friday September 1, 2023.
Following its recent presentation in the Conference Room of Monaco’s Oceanographic Museum, the “Multiple perspectives” exhibition will continue throughout the summer of 2023 on the railings of St Martin’s Gardens, close to the Prince’s Palace, with the collaboration of the Direction des Affaires Culturelles and the Direction de l’Aménagement Urbain de Monaco.
The “Adopt a Float” day on 22 June 2023 at the Institut de la mer in Villefranche-sur-Mer (Sorbonne University/CNRS) was attended by a host of VIPs. Six classes, around 150 pupils, from Joseph Caldéroni primary school in Villefranche-sur-Mer have adopted “Bob-the-float” over the course of the school year. Supervised by scientific mediators and their teachers, they followed his scientific journey.

The latest missions we have supported

Across the world

From Macaronesia to Colombia, with a passage in the Pacific, Monaco Explorations have already tackled many many regions. New areas of study include the Mediterranean, Melanesia and the Indian Ocean.

Governance of Monaco Explorations