Auriane Pertuisot, marine projects officer at the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, has been coordinating a coalition of donors dedicated to protecting the Mediterranean monk seal since 2019: the Monk Seal Alliance. In this post, she explains the coalition’s raison d’être, actions and results.
The Monk Seal Alliance is part of the circle of partners of the Missions Méditerranée des Explorations de Monaco. As part of its mission to educate and raise awareness, it participated in the design of the exhibition “Time for Action: Mediterranean Marine Areas”, inaugurated in Barcelona on April 9, 2024 for the 2nd meeting of the Decade of the Ocean.
Protecting the Mediterranean Monk Seal
Why the Monk Seal Alliance exists
The Mediterranean monk seal, Monachus monachus, is one of the world’s most endangered marine mammal species.
With fewer than 900 individuals remaining, mainly distributed between Greece, Turkey and Cyprus in the Mediterranean, and Mauritania and Madeira in the Atlantic, its conservation is crucial for marine biodiversity.
The Monk Seal Alliance plays an important role in the protection of this emblematic species, supporting conservation projects and coordinating various initiatives on a regional scale.
Who is the Mediterranean Monk Seal?
The Mediterranean monk seal can measure up to 2.4 meters and weigh up to 320 kg.
Monk seal hunting was one of the first human pressures on this species.
Since ancient times, monk seals have been hunted for their skin, blubber and meat.
This intensive exploitation has considerably reduced their numbers.
Historically, seals mainly used beaches for resting and breeding.
However, they gradually adopted inaccessible sea caves, far from human activity, to find a little peace and quiet.
Today, the main threats to the species are habitat loss due to coastal construction and mass tourism, and accidental entanglement in fishing nets or deliberate killing.
The actions of the Monk Seal Alliance
- Habitat protection: MSA works with and supports governments and local NGOs to create and manage marine protected areas (MPAs).
If the organizations managing them have adequate human, technical and financial resources, these areas offer a safe haven for seals. - Monitoring and Research: The alliance funds research projects to learn about population characteristics, seal behavior, habitats and needs.
This information is crucial for understanding the threats they face and deducing conservation priorities. - Awareness and Education: Public awareness is essential for the long-term conservation of monk seals.
MSA supports educational campaigns to inform local communities and tourists about the importance of preserving this species. - Emergency response: In the case of injured or distressed seals, MSA can support organizations providing veterinary care before releasing them into a marine protected area.
Impact and results
Thanks to the efforts of the Monk Seal Alliance and its partners, several notable successes have been achieved.
Local seal populations are showing signs of recovery, and new marine protected areas have been established.
The latest global Red List assessment by the International Union for Conservation of Nature confirms an increase in the population.
International collaboration and local partnerships are at the heart of these successes, demonstrating the importance of a collective approach to marine wildlife conservation.
Auriane Pertuisot
Monk Seal Alliance coordinator since 2019. In charge of marine projects for the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.
In this post from June 7, 2024, Joana, Manon, Hortense and Gaël, 4th graders at the Lycée français de Barcelone, look back on their day at Barcelona’s Port Vell on April 8, 2024, a day during which they took part in several educational and awareness-raising workshops offered by Explorations de Monaco on the occasion of the second meeting of the Decade of the Ocean.
A day out of the ordinary...
On the afternoon of Monday April 8, 2024, our 4th grade class, one of three maritime classes at the Lycée Français de Barcelone, had the chance to discover the Société des Explorations de Monaco.
First port of call: guided tour and workshop on the “Time for Action: Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas” exhibition”
The exhibition was set up outdoors at Barcelona’s Port Vell.
The visit was an opportunity to learn about the current state of the Mediterranean, the dangers that threaten it and the importance of Marine Protected Areas for its protection and sustainable management.
It’s a sea rich in biodiversity, but particularly vulnerable: it contains 28% of endemic species, i.e. species that live only in this sea!
It’s an almost enclosed sea, in the middle of land, around which 522 million people live.
Imagine the pollution generated by discharges and waste, the intensity of tourism and maritime traffic!
This visit made us realize the extent to which global warming and human activity are having an impact on ecosystems such as coralligenous, posidonia and the open sea.
They affect underwater species such as turtles and groupers… Angela, our guide, made us realize that we humans are not the only ones suffering from global warming.
Other species are suffering just as much, if not more, than we are!
And we can do something to reverse the trend: for example, by developing Marine Protected Areas and making them more effective.
Today, 8.33% of the Mediterranean is protected, but only 0.04% of the waters benefit from strong protection.
A great deal of investment is still needed if we are to reach the 30% target by 2030, as the States have decided…
Second port of call: in the afternoon, we boarded the Tuiga, flagship of the Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM) .
We split into two groups.
One, with Didier, discovered the subtleties of seamanship and the living conditions of sailors.
The other, with Jean, learned about the incredible history of this regatta boat.
This magnificent racing yacht was built 115 years ago, in 1909, by Scottish architect William Fife III in Fairlie, on the west coast of Scotland.
Her first owner was the Marquis of Medinaceli, cousin of the King of Spain.
Of the 20 boats built on this model between 1908 and 1912, only three other identical yachts are still plying the seas: theHispania, owned by the King of Spain, the Mariska and The Lady Anne.
The Tuiga met up with the Mariska here at Barcelona’s Reial Club, where we were staying.
Portrait of a traditional sailing icon: the Tuiga
Jean, one of the sailors who looks after the yacht all year round, shared his secrets with us.
Its construction materials, teak and mahogany, make it weather-resistant.
The hull is 23 meters long.
Equipped with a bowsprit mast with a net to secure the sails and prevent the crew’s “number 1” from falling overboard, she has a trapezoidal sail and a sail in the shape of a right-angled triangle, called a jib: she has a sail area of 370 m3.
To go out to sea, a crew of around twenty sailors is required.
The yacht can go up to 25-30 knots, which corresponds to a speed of 30-40 km/hour, and has a draught of 26.07281844048 tons, the equivalent of 73.83 m3!
Thank you so much for this extraordinary experience, which for sure we’ll remember for the rest of our lives!
Joana, Manon, Hortense and Gaël
4th graders in maritime-oriented classes at the Lycée français de Barcelone.
Mediterranean missions partners
Governance of Monaco Explorations
In this post, Aude Jacomme, a teacher at the Lycée Français de Barcelone in charge of maritime classes, talks about the fruitful collaboration set up with Explorations de Monaco for the 2nd meeting of the Decade of the Ocean in Barcelona.
A look back at the organization and unfolding of a week rich in discoveries, initiating new projects and promising extensions.
A meeting that bears fruit...
The beginnings…
January 12, 2024, among the many emails received each day, one in particular catches my attention: “Ocean Decade Conference and maritime classes at the Lycée Français de Barcelone”…
Mail origin: Monaco Explorations ?
The 2nd Decade of the Ocean Conference…
The aim of these maritime classes is not only to make students aware of the various issues surrounding the conservation and sustainable management of the ocean, but also to open up new horizons in terms of professional fields, culture, knowledge and interpersonal skills.
Each time, the speakers who come to meet our students explain their career paths to raise awareness of training, studies and professions, some of which are extremely motivating.
We work with universities and research laboratories in physics, chemistry and marine biology.
We are also in contact with the Port of Barcelona for all matters relating to port activities, companies working in the marine economy and what is known as the “blue economy”.
And so, on January 12, 2024, when we opened this e-mail, the adventure began… And what an adventure it was!
Very quickly, a videoconference and weekly exchanges enabled us to share many ideas and determine how the Société des Explorations de Monaco could enrich our students’ careers.
A network of exchanges was established, and we enthusiastically shared contacts with our local partners.
Projects take shape…
March 2024, no more screens and written exchanges, it’s time to get to know each other.
Xavier Prache is in Barcelona for a few precious hours, during which we list the program proposed to our students.
A visit to Tuiga, exhibitions on Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas, exchanges between LFB families and members of the Société des Explorations de Monaco, an outing at sea for teachers, a meeting between our maritime ambassadors and His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco… Just thinking about all these wonderful experiences on offer to our students and their teachers made me “le corazon contento” as the Spanish say.
So many opportunities!
The long-awaited week is about to begin…
April 2024, after a week of intense daily exchanges, we’re finally there – everything’s ready!
We met the rest of the team, who had exchanged so much beforehand that we felt we already knew each other.
What a team!
A warm and thoughtful welcome, all our maritime stakes classes were able to discover the interactive exhibition on Marine Protected Areas, accompanied by one of the team members who was able to teach them about this concept with a lot of pedagogy.
They also met members of the Tuiga crew, from deckhand to captain!
From the bowline to the fisherman’s knot, they now know how to do it with their eyes closed and their hands behind their backs.
They discovered a rather unique boat in terms of its history and the living conditions of sailors during regattas.
One of our sailing enthusiasts also met the crew of the sister ship Mariska.
Our students were immersed in maritime issues at the highest level, and understood that the Ocean was the concern of the years to come: better knowledge for better protection!
They still talk about it today with stars in their eyes every time they walk through the door of our classrooms.
They feel concerned, involved and responsible.
That’s what this kind of project is all about.
So it’s safe to say: mission accomplished!
The adventure continues
June 2024; the next stage in our collaboration, but the adventure doesn’t end here!
That’s the magic of this great joint project.
The Marine Protected Areas exhibition has remained in Barcelona at the Lycée Français.
Our students are getting ready to present it to primary school children, but also to other schools in the area.
In French, English, Catalan and Spanish, whatever language they use, they’ll get the message across.
Thanks again to the Monaco explorations team for this wonderful experience, which will remain engraved in the memory of the Lycée Français de Barcelone.
Aude JACOMME
Teacher at the Lycée Français de Barcelone.
In charge of maritime classes.
