FEATURE
THE MONACO
BLUE INITIATIVE
PROTECTING MARINE RESOURCES
Seeking a shared vision, a collaborative framework and finding synergies
A
by Roger Gilbert, Publisher, International Aquafeed Edinburgh’s elite in terms of its experts in climate change, marine sciences, geo-science and conservation turned out on a warmish early-April Sunday evening in the heart of the city to welcome HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and the ninth Monaco Blue Initiative (MBI).
ddressing delegates at an opening reception at the National Museum of Scotland, prior to the one-day conference, were Bernard Fautrier and Robert Calcagno, the vicepresident of the Price Albert II of Monaco Foundation and the CEO of the Oceanographic Institute, respectively. In ‘Icebreaker’ comments, Robert Calcagno, noted that “on one side is aquaculture, the fastest growing marine activity worldwide” and which inevitably is a cause of pollution for the sea while on the other side, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are proving to be “the main framework to organise our activities for the sea while giving marine life central attention.” He explained that 100 centuries after humans turned from hunting and gathering to growing and breeding animals on land we have turned our attention to marine species and the seas. “When aquaculture happens in an ocean already under high pressure the challenges are really high. “To meet this challenge tomorrow we must recognise how lucky we are to have an outstanding panel of highly experienced and talented people attending this year’s MBI in Scotland" he added. He made special note of how critical it is to add a new generation of postgraduate students and young professionals to the meeting and he thanked them for their participation. “Transferring and fostering a passion for the sea is of utmost importance. “The purpose of the MBI is to bring together various generations, backgrounds and disciplines to build a shared vision and a collective framework for action,” he added.
From father to great, great grandson
Professor Peter Mathieson, the principle and vice-chancellor of the University, who has been in post for just two months, was “thrilled and honoured” that the University had been chosen to host the ninth edition of the MBI and which “brings us together in friendship and cooperation” with regard to marine sciences.
Edinburgh and its university has a long and distinguished relationship with Monaco and the Monaco Oceanographic Institute and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. “In the late 19th Century His Serene Highness Prince Albert I of Monaco established an important research centre for the Scottish scientific community particularly in the field of ocean research and made several trips to Edinburgh. In 1907 he opened the Scottish Oceanographic Laboratory having been awarded an honorary degree by the University earlier that year. “It was therefore a wonderful and poignant moment for the University to bestow that same honour onto his great, great grandson, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II in 2016,” he added. Today’s activities at the University, supported by the Prince’s Foundation, includes a project that allows students in countries most affected by climate change to learn about climate change online. The University is also excited about the second project on how community-based aquaculture can help protect the marine environments. He pointed to his personal experience from Hong Kong, which has “a spectacular marine environment of coral and enormous bio-diversity among plants and animals in an environment - right next door a most industrial delta.” He suggested that this might be the place to study the interaction between the human race and the marine environment.
Opening the ninth Monaco Blue Initiative
The Professor of Climate Studies at the University of Edinburgh, Professor Alexander (Sandy) Tudhope introduced HSH Prince Albert to the FairPlay Library in the Old College on the conference day by recalling that the library was completed in the 1830s, around the time Charles Darwin attended the University to study medicine but who quickly turned his attention to the new study of natural history and the oceans only to leave on the Beagle for a one-year exploration voyage of discovery in 1831. But why should the 9th Monaco Blue Initiative be hosted in Edinburgh by the University today? That was a question Professor Tudhope had little hesitation in answering. “Scotland and Monaco share the fact they were both pioneers in the development of modern-day oceanography. And there are several aspects of these past expeditions that are relevant today; they required courage and ambition, to think beyond simple elements of the system and to how the oceans work. They required people to take distinctive action and relied heavily on
30 | May 2018 - International Aquafeed