Environmental DNA (eDNA) is genetic material originating from organisms. This material can be filtered from water samples. It comes from feces, mucus, blood, and sloughed cells, tissue, and in some cases can be attached to particles. The Megafauna team issampling from locations near Malpelo’s coast and reefs.
In labs, the eDNA is extracted, amplified and sequenced. These sequences are analyzed to identify species present in the sampled seawater. It also helps to build a reference database to accurately identify species.
Today is the final day of HSH Prince Albert’s visit to Malpelo with Monaco Explorations. He spent the morning hours on the Ferox and then diving with Sandra Bessudo and her team to tag sharks before departing to mainland Colombia.
During the morning hours HSH Prince Albert II joined the Fundación Malpelo team while they tagged sharks along with freedivers Pierre Frolla and Frederic Buyle.
Freedivers tag hammerhead sharks with acoustic transmitters which allow researchers to gather data about the sharks migratory patterns.
Today HSH Prince Albert spent the morning diving with Sandra Bessudo and her team as they tagged hammerhead sharks and in the afternoon he worked with the teams onboard to launch the ROV. His Serene Highness learned from ROV operator Pierre Cordier how to use the robotic arm, and assisted by collecting 2 samples from the sea floor for the INVEMAR team. In the evening we hosted a small informal gathering for the scientists to discuss their work with HSH Prince Albert in further detail.
HSH Prince Albert II spent the day participating in the work of the scientific teams here on mission in Malpelo Island. During the morning hours His Serene Highness went diving near the coast with Sandra Bessudo of Fundación Malpelo and her team who are tagging sharks. The afternoon was spent launching the Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) from our vessel, landing at 120 meters. HSH Prince Albert worked alongside the Invemar Columbia team who are collecting samples and identifying species, and the ROV operators from Centre Scientifique de Monaco to assist with the ROV deployment and operation of the robotic arm to place samples from the seafloor in the ROV’s compartment.
HSH Prince Albert arrived in Malpelo today. He was accompanied by Patti Londoño, Colombian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Admiral Juan Soltau, Head of Maritime Interests for the Colombian Navy, and Robert Calcagno, Head of Mission for Monaco Explorations.
The first stop for the group was on the island of Malpelo and visiting the military vessel.
After arriving onboard and meeting the scientific teams, His Serene Highness went to sea with the Megafauna team to set baited cameras. The rest of the delegation joined on a second tender to observe the work.
While at sea, we found Sandra Bessudo and her team and stopped to meet them and hear about their day.
In the evening, the scientific teams made presentations to Prince Albert and the rest of the group onboard.
Today HSH Prince Albert II arrived in Malpelo Island, off the coast of Colombia, accompanied by Patti Londoño Jaramillo, Colombian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Admiral Juan Soltau, Head of Maritime Interests for the Colombian Navy. His Serene Highness was first welcomed by the Colombian Navy Officers stationed on the island of Malpelo in the morning, and spent the afternoon at sea. First joining the Megafauna Consortium Team as they set baited cameras, and next meeting with Sandra Bessudo of Fundación Malpelo and her team of divers. Finally HSH Prince Albert came onboard the vessel to hear presentations of the scientific teams about their specific work in Malpelo. HSH Prince Albert will remain on mission for 3 days, participating and observing the scientific teams.
The Yersin left Mission One in Cabo Verde, Africa on October 5th and headed across the Atlantic Ocean to Fort-de-France, Martinique. During transatlantic travel, the Sargasso mission was carried out which you can read about here.
When the Yersin arrived in Fort-de-France, HSH Prince Albert II and the Monaco Explorations team was there to welcome them. We had a busy few days of events planned.
We extend a big thank you to Maud Fontenoy who joined us in Martinique to give presentations about her adventures at sea as well as her long-time advocacy work. She spoke to a group of schoolchildren onboard the Yersin, to the public in a town hall style presentation in Precheur, and again in Fort-de-France at an event to present the work of the Sargasso mission.
We attended an afternoon ceremony to classify and name the Marine Protected Natural Reserve of Prêcheur as part of the preservation of natural spaces and protection of biodiversity by the Territorial Collective of Martinique. Located in northwestern Martinique, the areaincludes two sites, les îlets La Perle and the Citadelle, as well as 12 km of coastline along Prêcheur, at the foot of the Pelée Mountain.
This new protected area was named the Albert-Falco Marine Territorial Natural Reserve of Prêcheur. The naming is in memory of Albert Falco, lover of the sea and for all the Martiniquais who had the privilege of working with him. The Martiniquais have not forgotten his commitment to the protection and enhancement of the underwater heritage of Saint-Pierre, not to mention his collaboration with Commander Jacques-Yves Cousteau, who has popularized the defense and protection of the marine environment.
Louis Boutrin, Executive Councilor, Marcellin Nadeau, Mayor of Prêcheur, Franck Robine, Prefect of Martinique and HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco hosted the event. Mr. and Mrs. Fiat, Yersin owners, arrived to welcome the family of the late Albert Falco onboard their vessel, and attended a small private ceremony with Mr. Falco’s family, a few friends, and HSH Prince Albert II.
After the naming ceremony, the Collectivité Territoriale de Martinique hosted a town hall presentation for the public to talk about the importance of ocean conservancy and protection, and for Monaco Explorations to present our work.
To read about this event in French, and for additional photos, click here.
In the evening HSH Prince Albert II and Monaco Explorations hosted an event in Fort-de-France to present the work of the Sargasso team and to celebrate the life and work of Albert Falco, and the naming of the Marine Protected Area dedicated in his name.
We were in Martinique for just a few short days, and the Yersin will go in dry dock for the next two months to prepare for future missions. We will be back in early January to start the next mission.
** All photos in this post are courtesy of Olivier Borde
Martinique
Paddle sailor Maud Fontenoy spent two days aboard the Yersin with Monaco Explorations in Martinique. On several occasions over the two days Maud told audiences about her impressive experiences at sea and the actions she has taken through her foundation to protect and conserve the oceans. Her stories of crossing the seas and encountering pollution were touching and impactful.
Photos © Monaco Explorations / O. Borde
Fort de France, Martinique
HSH Prince Albert hosted a gathering in Fort de France to share the work of Monaco Explorations, and specifically the most recent topic, Sargassum, to a crowd of nearly 150 people. Earlier in the day, His Serene Highness was present for the inauguration of the Prêcheur marine reserve.
“Today we have enough perspective to know that marine reserves and protected areas are the best ways to regulate overfishing and protect the ecosystems. One benefit of creating these reserves is that they provide generations of fishermen the ability to continue their livelihood for years to come. Marine protected areas help to protect the marine environments and biodiversity by bringing man and the sea together responsibly.” said Prince Albert II.
Prs Thomas Changeux and Sandrine Ruitton (MIO Aix-Marseille University) shared their first results after 3 weeks of work with Monaco Explorations.
Photos © Monaco Explorations / O. Borde
