Indian Ocean Mission: Explorations de Monaco Submits Final Report on the 2022 Mission
Three years after the expedition to Mauritius, the Seychelles, and the Saya de Malha Bank, Explorations de Monaco has reached a new milestone by officially presenting the final report of the 2022 Indian Ocean expedition. Held at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, the ceremony brought together government officials, scientists, and institutional partners committed to the sustainable management of marine areas in the Indian Ocean.
This presentation marks the culmination of a collaborative effort launched in 2022 focused on one of the most strategic and vulnerable ocean regions on the planet. At the heart of this mission: gaining a better understanding of the marine ecosystems of the southwestern Indian Ocean, strengthening regional cooperation, and developing concrete solutions to ensure the long-term preservation of these exceptional marine areas.
A regional effort to address ocean-related issues
The ceremony was attended by H.E. Mr. Christophe Mirmand, Minister of State of the Principality of Monaco; Ms. Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Government Advisor—Minister of External Relations and Cooperation; the Honorable Dr. Arvin Boolell, Minister of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy, and Fisheries of the Republic of Mauritius, as well as Mr. Wallace Cosgrow, Chief Minister and Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture, and Blue Economy of the Republic of Seychelles.
Alongside representatives from partner countries, focal points from the Joint Management Area (JMA), scientists, and regional institutions also participated in the discussions, underscoring the deeply collaborative nature of this mission.
Science, Cooperation, and Action
The report highlights several key challenges for the region’s future: the preservation of marine ecosystems, the sustainable management of fishery resources, the reduction of human-induced pressures, and the strengthening of scientific and political cooperation among coastal states.
One of the highlights of the ceremony was the presentation of 25 recommendations developed during the Science to Policy Workshop held in Port Louis in November 2025. Developed through a collaborative effort involving scientific experts, policymakers, and institutional partners, these initiatives aim to strengthen the link between science and public policy, improve the sharing of scientific data, and support concrete actions to promote the sustainability of marine areas in the Indian Ocean.
The discussions also highlighted the importance of integrated governance based on regional cooperation, against a backdrop of intensifying environmental challenges in the southwestern Indian Ocean. The BBNJ Agreement, dedicated to the protection of marine biodiversity on the high seas, opens up new opportunities in this regard to support States in their conservation and sustainable management strategies. In this context, Les Explorations de Monaco will continue its collaboration with the States concerned.
A mission that reflects Monaco’s commitment to the ocean
As the first phase of the “Monaco Explorations” project, approved as part of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, the 2022 Indian Ocean Mission is part of the Principality of Monaco’s longstanding commitment to ocean knowledge, sustainable management, and protection.
Through this initiative, Explorations de Monaco continues to pursue its mission: to foster dialogue between science, international cooperation, and public awareness in order to better understand the ocean and support collective responses to today’s major environmental challenges.