The Monaco Blue Initiative supported by H.S.H. Albert II of Monaco and implemented by the Oceanographic Institute and the Foundation Prince Albert II of Monaco, gathered 37 patrons of the ocean–including the Executive Secretary of the IOC, Wendy Watson-Wright– earlier this month to discuss ways to protect the ocean. During the two day workshop, the group launched its 2010 initiative focusing on the deep sea biodiversity and large marine species.
H.S.H. Albert II also sponsored the IOC-UNESCO co-led Oceans in a High CO2 World’ conference which resulted in the Monaco Declaration, as well as the Climate Change and Arctic Sustainable Development’ workshop again co-led by UNESCO.
Some of the 37 participants to the Monaco Blue Initiative included Biliana Cicn Sain, head of the Global Ocean Forum; Achim Steiner, Executive Director of UNEP; Julia Marton-Lefèvre, Director General of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN); Jacqueline McGlade, European Environment Agency; Tony Haymet, Director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography; Susan Avery, Director of Woods Hole Institute; Fréderic Briand, Director of the Mediterranean Science Commission (CIESM); and Philippe Vallette, co-president of the World Ocean Network.
During the workshop the group had animated discussions on creating large marine protected areas, reforming fisheries subsidies, increasing consumer initiatives, and creating a global index of status and trends, which a UN regular process for assessing the ocean would provide. Both McGlade and Watson-Wright urged the group to support the move by the United Nations toward a Regular Process for assessing the ocean in order to improve understanding of the oceans and to develop a global mechanism for delivering science-based information to decision makers and the public.
Following the discussions, Watson-Wright met with fellow Monaco Blue Initiative ocean patrons Maria Betti, Director of the Marine Environment Laboratories of the International Atomic Energy Agency and Fréderic Briand, Director of CIESM. IAEA is very interested in continuing to work with IOC-UNESCO covering ocean acidification and harmful algal blooms for example, and is also interested in collaborating on other issues of common concern. IAEA and IOC had in the past a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding with UNEP and Watson-Wright confirmed she is looking forward to continuing a similar agreement working together in these areas of common interest. In her discussions with Fréderic Briand of CIESM, Watson-Wright encouraged reviving the positive collaborations between the two organizations. The upcoming Triennial CIESM congress will be held in Venice during the second week in May.
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