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MONACO
Macaronesia

SEPTEMBER 2017 “To preserve the environment,
we must reconcile humanity with the sea”
MADEIRA
Caribbean H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco
NOV./DEC. 2017 CABO VERDE

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
MARTINIQUE

Whilst saving the monk seal was the focal point
in Madeira (identifying its habitat for protection), in
Cabo Verde the EDM activity was focused on sup-
porting the sea turtle protection programme. The
African archipelago is home to five species, which
are all under threat. The key activities included pro-
tecting spawning sites and marking and tagging
adults to monitor and protect them. This was also
the case for large predators. Sharks are particularly
common here, therefore various specimens were
tagged to better understand their movements and
ensure that their living space is used sustainably.
Finally, a team from the University of Porto and
the Paris Natural History Museum spent several
days on the uninhabited volcanic island of Bran-
co, where Albert I reported seeing the giant skink,
a large lizard which is now believed to be extinct.
Researchers followed in his footsteps. They took
various samples and installed cameras at potential
habitat sites as it is generally carried out for other, We therefore urgently need to understand how H.S.H. Prince Albert II
often native species, to create appropriate condi- these ecosystems work. They are a complex ha- of Monaco welcomed the
tions for their protection. The results are still being bitat, extremely rich in various species, some of President of the Republic
analysed. The scientific projects carried out during which are endemic, but they create significant pro- of Cabo Verde, Mr Jorge Carlos
Fonseca, and his delegation
this trip to Cabo Verde “encouraged us to stren- blems when reaching the coasts. to present the work of the
gthen our culture and management of our envi- Monaco Explorations in his
ronment to protect our rich biodiversity” stated Mr Various samples were collected and are being ana- country. This event took place
Jorge Carlos de Almeida Fonseca, President of the lysed in Luminy at the Mediterranean Oceanology in the presence of partners
Republic of Cabo Verde when he attended MOW. Institute (MOI) linked to the University of Aix-Mar- on 11 April 2018 at the
Several months before, the Sovereign Prince had seille. The objective is to understand the reasons Oceanographic Museum.
given him a skink specimen collected over one for this unprecedented proliferation over the past
hundred years ago. 7 years. Human influence is suspected as a result
of intensive farming practices, discharging fertilizer
When crossing the Atlantic ocean between Cabo into rivers which then flow into the Atlantic. We
Verde and Martinique in October, the EDM used should have an answer in 2 years.
satellite images to look for Sargassum, in a world
first. These algae rafts which grow on the surface Until then, the Monaco Explorations will continue
of the sea are incredible ocean biotopes but can their journey. The teams are currently in the Pacific
cause health-related disasters (toxic releases of and have already completed two missions in Mal-
sulphurated hydrogen, pollution etc.) and econo- pelo and Hawaii.
mic disasters when they wash onto shores, as was
the case in 2011 in Martinique and Guadeloupe.