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STRENGTHENING OCEANOGRAPHY | 71

PARTICIPATORY SCIENCE
Preserving Mediterranean

heritage species

The conference organised by the RAMOGE Agreement invited leading scientists

to take stock of the role of citizen science in the preservation of five emblematic
Mediterranean species.

Groupers, corbs, large nacres, ferruginous limpets,
brown seaweed forests... How are these so-called
heritage species faring? Their good ecological status
is a fine indicator of the health of the Mediterranean
ecosystem. For several years now, under the impe-
tus of the RAMOGE Agreement, scuba divers and The Ramoge Agreement is an intergovernmental
associations have been recording these five heritage cooperation agreement between the French, Italian
species. and Monegasque states for the preservation of the marine
environment, focusing on biodiversity and the fight against
During Monaco Ocean Week on 24 March 2023, the marine pollution.
RAMOGE Agreement organised a conference for the
general public in the conference room of the Oceano-
graphic Museum on the benefits of citizen science.
More than 70 participants, including around 20 by THE 3 RAMOGE COUNTRIES ARE COMMITTED TO
videoconference, were able to follow this feedback
session. Four leading scientists presented the cur- In France
st
rent state of knowledge and the challenges involved ■ 1980 in Corsica / 1993 in mainland France: 1 moratorium
in achieving good conservation status for each of banning underwater and hook-and-line fishing for brown
these species. In 2023, when the moratorium pro- grouper. Little by little, brown grouper populations are
tecting groupers and corbs in French waters are due recovering,
st
to be renewed, the collection of data on these spe- ■ 2013, 1 moratorium protecting the corb,
cies takes on a particular meaning, that of supporting ■ Moratorium is renewable every 5 years.
conservation objectives and measures.
In Monaco
■ 1993: Sovereign Order of 29 January prohibiting
underwater hunting and fishing for groupers and corbs.

In Italy
■ A moratorium is being published to ban recreational
fishing and non-professional underwater fishing for
5 species of grouper and corbs.