Stopover in Monaco of the research vessel the Song of the Whale

On Thursday, July 19, 2018, Mrs. Marie-Pierre Gramaglia, Government Counselor-Minister of Equipment, Environment and Urbanism visited the ship Song of the Whale, one of the main actors of the “ACCOBAMS Survey Initiative “, in the presence of many personalities. This event was organized by the Permanent Secretariat of ACCOBAMS, the Foundation of Prince Albert II of Monaco and the International Fund for the Protection of Animals (IFAW), during the stopover of the ship in Monaco, headquarters of the ACCOBAMS Agreement.

The first results of the observations showing cetacean distribution as well as images of this ambitious project were then presented at a conference organized at the Yacht Club. The participants were also able to read the scientific protocol of regional census implemented, listen to the recordings of the sounds emitted by the cetaceans during the study and listen to the testimony of scientific observers present on the boat.

The ACCOBAMS Survey Initiative is an innovative and unprecedented project aimed at improving conservation measures in the Mediterranean in order to safeguard its biodiversity.

Within this framework, the Permanent Secretariat of the Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and the adjacent Atlantic Area (ACCOBAMS) is carrying out, between June and July, the first survey of cetaceans and megafauna. from the Mediterranean, from eight planes, five boats, including the Song of the Whale, and with a hundred scientific observers from all over the Mediterranean basin.

From left to right : S.E. Mme Marine De Carné-Trécesson, Ambassadeur de France à Monaco ; Simone Panigada, Président du Comité scientifique d’ACCOBAMS ; Mme Marie-Pierre Gramaglia, Conseiller de Gouvernement-Ministre de l’Equipement, de l’Environnement et de l’Urbanisme ; S.E. M. Bernard Fautrier, Vice-président et Administrateur délégué de la Fondation du Prince Albert II de Monaco ; S.E. M. Cristiano Gallo, Ambassadeur d’Italie à Monaco ; Mme Florence Descroix Comanducci, Secrétaire Exécutif de l’ACCOBAMS ; Armelle Roudaut-Lafon, Directeur des Affaires Maritimes ; M. Cyril Gomez, Directeur Général de l’Equipement, de l’Environnement et de l’Urbanisme ; Mme Fannie Dubois; Secrétaire Exécutif de l’Accord PELAGOS et M. Julien Semelin de la Fondation MAVA ©Direction de la Communication/Michaël Alesi