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88 / MONACO OCEAN WEEK PARTNERS

MONEGASQUE ASSOCIATION FOR THE PROTECTION OF NATURE (AMPN)

The AMPN is an NGO in charge of managing Community science projects are also regularly
Monaco’s marine protected areas. It was created promoted. Volunteer divers help to clean the
in 1975 to fulfil H.S.H. Prince Rainier III’s wish to seabed. Training is offered to identify and classify
preserve a section of the Monegasque coast. fish to assess populations, list heritage species
such as grouper or brown meagre, monitor
The AMPN created Monaco’s marine the arrival of non-indigenous species and track
protected areas in 1976 and 1986 and is the health of fan mussels. The EOCOCIMED
responsible for their management. programme retrieves sea user comments via
social networks to reinforce its knowledge of
The first, with a surface of 33 hectares, is located biodiversity.
to the east of the Monegasque coast bordering
the Larvotto neighbourhood and contains a Public awareness campaigns are also organised.
Posidonia meadow. Conferences, films, reports, exhibitions and
entertainment are offered to get the public
The second, which aims to preserve the involved in protecting the marine environment.
Spélugues coral reef, has a surface of 2 hectares
and is situated at the opening of Port Hercule. There is an interest in making Monaco Marine
Protected Areas part of the international
For over 40 years, the AMPN has dynamic.
implemented protection and management
measures with the help of volunteers, divers The AMPN is now a member of the MedPAN
from local clubs and the Universities of Nice, network of Mediterranean MPA managers
Marseille, Montpellier and Genoa. and takes part in the marine protected areas
managers’ forum. Locally, it aims to promote
Artificial reefs have helped reinforce habitats to networking of marine protected areas in Alpes-
encourage population by fauna and flora in initial Maritimes and Monaco to develop an integrated
years. Innovative reefs created using a 3D printer and sustainable coastal management tool.
were immersed in November 2017. Their design
mimics the complexity of the natural environment Its presence during national or international
and will create better performing tools to manage events raises awareness of the specific features
coastal seabeds. of Monaco MPAs and the actions carried out
there. It reinforces scientific partnerships in the
Various research programmes have focused framework, notably significant research work on
on the Posidonia meadow, the impact of reefs reefs created with a 3D printer.
on fish and the study of their complexity, the
dynamic of invertebrate populations, the study
of the reproduction of urchins or the in-situ
cultivation of red coral.
Two studies are in progress to analyse the
reserve effect and demonstrate the link between
the Larvotto marine protected area and the
diverse avifauna.

www.ampn-nature-monaco.com