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INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY

The IAEA Environmental Laboratories, located in Monaco and Seibersdorf, Austria, work with Member
States to develop strategies for sustainable management of their land, marine and atmospheric resources.
Together, they apply nuclear and isotope science to understand and mitigate the environmental impact
of radionuclides, trace metals, organic contaminants (PCBs, hydrocarbons), as well as to study the
impacts of climate change, habitat destruction and the loss of biodiversity. This includes inspecting
and monitoring contaminants in the oceans, such as mercury or plastics, as well as biotoxins linked to
microalgae, and studying how they are transferred to marine animals.

www.iaea.org

MONEGASQUE ASSOCIATION FOR THE PROTECTION
AMPN OF NATURE (AMPN)

The Monegasque Association for the Protection of Nature (AMPN) manages two Marine Protected Areas
(MPAs) in Monaco, which it created in 1976 and 1986.

It regularly develops monitoring and research programmes. This includes work carried out on 3D printed
artificial reefs submerged in the Larvotto MPA. These lead to the development of innovative tools to protect
or reinforce biodiversity. AMPN also created the Monaco Educational Marine Area for which it plays a central
role. Its expertise contributes to its success, and guarantees that children can play their part in environmental
protection.

www.ampn-nature-monaco.com

BEYOND PLASTIC MED - BEMED

With over 3 trillion microplastic particles, the Mediterranean is the most polluted sea in the world. Faced
with this finding, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation asked the Tara Océan Foundation, Surfrider
Foundation Europe, and the MAVA Foundation to join forces and launch the Beyond Plastic Med (BeMed)
initiative during the international conference “Plastic in the Mediterranean: what next?” which was held
in Monaco in March 2015.

In January 2019, the Beyond Plastic Med (BeMed) association was founded and is now led by a large
group, as the IUCN wanted to get involved alongside the founding members. As BeMed’s goal is to act
at the source of the problem, the association aims to support and network stakeholders committed
against plastic pollution in the Mediterranean, implement sustainable solutions, encourage the research
of new alternatives and rally stakeholders and the general public through knowledge and sharing best
practices.

www.beyondplasticmed.org