Page 73 - Livre_MOW2024_EN

SHARING SCIENTIFIC PROGRESS | 71

At the center of one of the most pressurized seas
in the world, the Tyrrhenian Sea, lies the largest
system of underwater canyons in this Mediterranean
region. This deep canyon, home to seven of the eight
species of cetaceans usually present in the western
Mediterranean, is now part of a global network of
“Hope Spots” for biodiversity. The culmination of a
sustained commitment led by the Italian organization
One Ocean Foundation since 2019. This non-profit
organization operating at the international level for
the protection of the marine environment has in fact
maintained its constant commitment to research and
marine surveillance of the area located 20 miles from
the coast. Representatives of this foundation chose
Monaco Ocean Week to announce the recognition
of the Caprera Canyon as a new Hope Spot by
Mission Blue, a global initiative for the conservation Bernard d'Alessandri, Secretary General of the Yacht Club de Monaco, accompanied by
of marine biodiversity established by the famous Jan Pachner, Secretary General of One Ocean Foundation.
oceanographer Sylvia Earle.
A CANYON WITH AN
The official announcement therefore took place on IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE
March 19, during a special event organized as part MARINE ECOSYSTEM
of Monaco Ocean Week at the Monaco Yacht Club.
“This recognition allows us to continue our actions in “Underwater canyons like that of Caprera are
favor of the protection of this site with an even greater immense fissures several hundred meters deep, key
commitment and in collaboration with national and structures for the functioning of marine ecosystems,”
international entities and institutes, in accordance with introduces Ginevra Boldrocchi, scientific coordinator
the latest indications from the European community, of One Ocean Foundation and researcher at the
which underline the importance of the protection and University of Insubria. These zones make possible a
restoration of biodiversity,” says Riccardo Bonadeo, series of fundamental functions such as the upwelling
President of One Ocean Foundation, in introduction phenomenon, which involves the rise of deep water
to the event. “Together, we are committed to rich in nutrients favoring life in the water column:
implementing innovative solutions that address the growth and reproduction of phytoplankton and
challenges facing our ocean, leveraging research, photosynthetic algae, which constitute the base of
education and community engagement to make a the entire trophic chain and from which cetaceans
tangible impact,” continues Bernard d'Alessandri, benefit.
Secretary General of the Yacht Club de Monaco, with “The Caprera Canyon has extremely important
whom One Ocean Foundation signed a memorandum ecological value because most of the species we
of understanding in October 2023, consolidating the study appear to use the area as a feeding and
common commitment to ocean conservation and breeding site. Despite its undeniable ecological
sustainable marine practices. value, the canyon – like most of the Mediterranean
– is subject to numerous anthropogenic threats,”
warns Jan Pachner, Secretary General of One Ocean
Foundation, specifying that the canyon is located at
the crossroads of intense maritime routes, east-west
and north-south. He adds that “marine mammals, in
particular, are subject to accidental capture, collisions
with ships due to heavy maritime traffic, as well as
acoustic, chemical and plastic pollution.”