The Institute receives a Coco de Mer, a rare species emblematic of the Seychelles.
- Reading time: 8 min
- Date: March 27, 2024
L’Oceanographic Institute, in partnership with Seychelles Islands Foundation (S.I.F.) and the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Seychelles in Monaco, organized an official ceremony to hand over a Coco de mer seed, a rare and emblematic species. The event was held on Saturday, June 29, 2024, at the Monaco Oceanographic Museum, in the “Oceanomania” section, the world’s largest cabinet of marine curiosities.
Importance of the coco de mer, an endemic palm on the Seychelles islands of Praslin and Curieuse.
VisitSea coconut (Lodoicea maldivica) is a palm famous for producing the largest seed in the plant kingdom. It plays a crucial role in its ecosystem, providing habitat, food and breeding grounds for many local species. The Seychelles Islands Foundation (S.I.F.) manages a large part of the Coco de mer population in sites such as Vallée de Mai, Fond Peper and the Fond Ferdinand reserve.
For over 15 years, the S.I.F. has been actively working to conserve the Coco de mer. Thanks to their efforts, the species was downgraded from “Vulnerable” to “Endangered” on the IUCN Red List in 2011. In 2023, with the support of the Franklinia Foundation, the S.I.F. identified around 5,800 Coco de mer trees. Although their numbers have increased, the species remains threatened by fire, poaching, invasive alien species and climate change.
photo credit ©Aude Hurstel _ AudePhotoGraph
Award ceremony at Monaco Oceanographic Museum
Mr Jean-François NOARO, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Seychelles in Monaco, declared: ” This ceremony is a valuable opportunity to raise awareness of Coco de mer conservation and celebrate our unique natural heritage. » By integrating the Monaco Oceanographic Museum, the Coco de mer specimen will be presented to visitors to the “Temple de la Mer”, within the cabinet of curiosities “Oceanomania“, designed by artist Mark Dion in 2011.
This event marks an important step in raising awareness of the conservation of the Sea coconut and a celebration of Seychelles’ unique biodiversity.
For this event, the institute would like to thank :
- Honorary Consul General of the Seychelles in Monaco, Jean-François NOARO
- Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Seychelles, H.E. Mr. Kenneth Racombo
- Dr Frauke Fleischer-Dogler, CEO of the Seychelles Islands Foundation
- Mr Laurence Romano, Trustee of the Seychelles Islands Foundation
- Ms Julie Donati, Advisor to the Cabinet of H.S.H. The Prince.
- Ms Shaniah Dick, Miss Seychelles 2023
- Marie-Laure Viebel, visual artist
- Mr Xavier Prache, Director of Explorations Monaco
The European Union authorizes the placing on the market for human consumption of yellow mealworm,
good news for the planet.
- Reading time: 2 min
It was already possible to feed fish in aquaculture farms and pets with proteins from insect larvae, such as the black soldier fly Hermetia illucens. The beetle Tenebrio molitor (or rather its larva) is the first insect to obtain the European green light for human consumption.
Insect-based foods, considered until now as ” niche products “, offer a promising solution to the sustainability challenges of the food industry. Insects are an alternative to the soya or small marine fish meal that our farms (pigs, poultry, fish) need, products with an immense ecological impact. The cultivation of soya is responsible for deforestation, pollution (pesticides) and the decline of biodiversity. Industrial fishing impacts the food chains of the ocean and marine predators no longer have access to these vital resources.
Population growth and improved living standards will continue to lead to considerable protein needs, with a maximum risk for global ecosystems that are already very fragile due to the intensification of water and land needs that generate ever more greenhouse gas emissions.
Insects fed with the co-products of plant agriculture create proteins, oils (alternatives to soybean or coconut oil) and agricultural fertilizer, with minimal resources and in a virtually “zero waste” model, nothing is lost ! A good school model of circular economy.
If properly implemented, this business model can help combat climate change, preserve marine resources and make the ocean more resilient. There is no doubt that these new measures by the European Union will stimulate this market, which is set to develop strongly, just like the algae market, another fast-growing sector.
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For a deconfinement of minds
Monaco, 13 December 2020
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The closure of cultural venues and their major roles in our society and economy is more topical than ever. This Tribune explains the importance of the dialogue between Science and Culture to build the world of tomorrow. This is not just a question of economic activity; it is our openness and resilience in the face of the current crisis and in inventing the future that is at stake.
It istime to oppose the rebound of the epidemic and the economic crisis with a rebound of enthusiasm and imagination. Along with the economy, it is curiosity, discovery and creativity that must be revived so that we emerge stronger, better able to face the major environmental and social challenges.
To deconcentrate minds and rekindle the imagination, to take up the planetary challenges and prepare a more livable and exciting future, we are responding, because there is no future without Nature, nor a future without Culture.
A Tribune initiated by the Oceanographic Institute, published in the Journal du Dimanche, whose first signatory is H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, joined by 32 other international signatories from the worlds of science and culture: Laurent Ballesta, Charles Berling, Stéphane Bern, Sandra Bessudo, Robert Calcagno, Jean Chambaz, Xavier Darcos, Bruno David, Peter Herzig, François Houllier, Alexis Jenni, Murielle Mayette, Erik Orsenna, Vladimir Ryabinin, Enric Sala, Philippe Taquet, Valérie Verdier…
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The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the Oceanographic Institute and the Société des Explorations de Monaco join forces to promote the health of the Ocean - 06/11/2020
On November 5, by videoconference, REV Ocean and the three Monegasque institutions ratified a partnership agreement to work on ocean sustainability.
Nina Jensen, CEO of REV Ocean, said:”This is a great opportunity to work with some of the world’s leading marine conservation organizations. H.S.H. Prince Albert II and his foundation have initiated a number of projects to develop marine protected areas and to study the impacts of climate change. It’s very exciting to think about what we’re going to achieve by combining this level of commitment with the largest research vessel in the world“.
REV Ocean
REV Ocean is a non-profit company created with one goal and one ambition: to make our oceans healthy again. Established in Norway in 2017, REV Ocean’s mission is to enable and inspire ocean solutions and combat the negative pressures currently affecting the ocean. The science strategy focuses on the issues of plastic pollution, climate change and the environmental impacts of unsustainable fishing.
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Health of the Ocean,
Human health
Wednesday, September 23, 7-8:30 p.m.
Oceanographic Museum of Monaco
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The vitality of our environment is inseparable from our own health.
This is one of the reminders of the current crisis.
It is therefore a good time to rethink our relationship with the Ocean, to better preserve it and live better in the future.
In this context, “L’Obs” and the Oceanographic Institute invite you to an exceptional meeting with experts, great witnesses and innovators…
September 23rd at 7pm at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco
Conference in French, available upon registration(events[a]oceano.org – subject to availability)
or via its live broadcast on this page (see below).
This meeting is part of the “2049” cycle of “L’Obs”.
and the Planetary Health Week organized by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.
CONFERENCE PROGRAM :
Opening
Robert Calcagno (Institute of Oceanography)
Health of the Ocean, health of Man
The health of the Ocean is intimately linked to that of Man.
Will the marine world provide us with the cures of tomorrow?
Meetings with Patrick Rampal (CSM) and François Houllier (Ifremer)
The look of…
Ghislain Bardout (Under the pole)
The diver and naturalist shares his experience during the “Under the Pole III” expedition.
Round Table: Preserving a healthy and living Ocean
Marine protected areas, fishing, coastal development, urban planning, tourism…
Overview ofsustainable solutions for the Mediterranean in 2049.
Two speakers:
Joachim Claudet (CRIOBE)
Lucile Courtial (BeMed)
The “startup pitch”.
Three innovative entrepreneurs present their solutions for the health of Man and the Ocean.
Mathieu Coulange (“Bathysmed”), Gilles Lecaillon (Ecocean),
Franck Zal (Hemarina)
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Monaco Ocean
Protection Challenge :
GRAND FINAL
3rd edition
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No losers, only winners!
The3rd edition of the Monaco Ocean Protection Challenge took place on 9 July 2020. This challenge, co-organised by the Oceanographic Institute, Monaco Impact and the International University of Monaco, saw 5 teams compete to defend their project aimed at having a positive impact on the ocean.
If you were unable to follow the live broadcast on the International University of Monaco’s YouTube channel, you can find the results here and the link to replay the challenge!
The members of the jury
The jury was composed of : Peter Kutemann, founder and president of Monaco Impact, an association of Monegasque entrepreneurs, Olivier Dufourneaud, Director of Ocean Policy at the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco, Jean-Philippe Muller, Director General of the International University of Monaco, Margareth HepburnFounder and Director of Hepburn Biocare, Thomas De Williencourt, Director of Pure Ocean Foundation and Marianne Josselin, Exhibitor & Innovators Manager of the Change NOW Summit.
The finalists
5 finalist teams presented their project to the jury. The teams came from SKEMA Business School, the International University of Monaco and the Tec School of Monterey, representing 5 different nationalities.
The 5 participating teams:
CORPORATE CHALLENGE
MANTA
Skema Business School
Elynn Yaoting LIU
ENTREPRENEURSHIP CHALLENGE
I SAVE THE OCEAN
Skema Business School
Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey
Juan Felipe Martin
Julien Piveteau
ENTREPRENEURSHIP CHALLENGE
MONACO BOATS
International University of Monaco
Alexandre Merlo
Jean-Hubert Pinatel
Alejandro Garcia Salarich
ENTREPRENEURSHIP CHALLENGE
WHITE WATERS
International University of Monaco
Emanuele Pasquali
Giovanni Stabon
Fransceco Orlando
ENTREPRENEURSHIP CHALLENGE
VENUSTUS COUTURE
International University of Monaco
Martina Possio
Elisabetta Signorelli
The awards
4 prizes were distributed to the teams. Another specificity of this challenge: there are no losers. Each team was rewarded with a “Pass” offered according to the maturity and needs of each project.
More than 100 votes were also collected from the audience to judge the best presentation.
The Jury considered that all the participants had deserved, by their involvement in a difficult context, to receive the Exploration Pass, granting them for one year the status of member of
the Association of Friends of the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco
.
The Monaco Impact young member pass was awarded to Elynn LIU from the Manta team
The Coaching pass was awarded to Venustus Couture and White Waters.
A Change Now pass was awarded to I Save the Ocean and another, following the public vote, to Monaco Boats.
The Monaco Impact Prize of €5,000 was awarded to the I Save the Ocean team.
See you next year for a new edition!
The next edition of the MOP Challenge will be the 4th and 2nd international edition.
Don’t hesitate to join us on social networks.
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Balloon release
Monaco commits to fighting pollution
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The animals are at the party!
Very good news for the environment and in particular for turtles and sea birds: the Government of the Principality of Monaco has just prohibited, by ministerial decree of 17 March 2020, the release into the atmosphere of balloons and flying lanterns for recreational, commemorative or leisure purposes.
This decision marks an important step in the Fête sans balloons initiative, launched almost a year ago by the Oceanographic Institute,
hand in hand with the Government of Monaco
(Directorate of the Environment), as part of a
programme in favour of marine turtles
.
We hope that this decision will inspire other states and communities, coastal or not, to adopt a respectful attitude towards biodiversity, without giving up the party!
As soon as sanitary conditions permit, we are getting ready to test the beautiful ideas for a Balloon Free Party that we have been collecting for several months.
By the way, if you have ideas for alternatives to balloon releases, don’t hesitate to continue sharing them on the Facebook Group specially created for the occasion or to be inspired by the proposals made:
join the group.
More about the "Balloon-free party" initiative
A released balloon rises into the sky, until it deflates or the decrease in atmospheric pressure causes it to burst into multiple fragments.
This debris then falls back to land and sea far from its release point. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), balloons are in the top 10 of recreational waste found on the coast. They can travel thousands of miles and pollute the most remote and pristine areas.