Just days after a fin whale was spotted barely one kilometre off Monaco at Golfe Bleu, a powerful reminder of Monaco’s living marine heritage, photographer Greg Lecoeur has unveiled Wild Mediterranean: Protection in Action…
This striking exhibition is a frank warning of the pressures facing whales, dolphins, turtles and other marine life. His Serene Highness Prince Albert II visited the exhibition yesterday, which is supported by the Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and contiguous Atlantic (ACCOBAMS), the intergovernmental agreement created to protect cetaceans in the region.
Lecoeur’s photographs capture both the beauty and the vulnerability of the marine ecosystem. One of the most powerful images shows a sperm whale fatally struck by a ship, a stark reminder of the risks posed by intensive maritime traffic. “There are many pressures from human activity—tourism, ferries, commercial shipping—that threaten marine mammals,” Lecoeur explains. He advocates reducing vessel speeds to cut underwater noise and limit collisions, alongside stronger measures to combat chemical pollution.
ACCOBAMS officials emphasise the importance of gathering detailed data on species distribution and the human activities affecting them. By overlaying these datasets, scientists can identify areas requiring urgent conservation, which may lead to the creation of marine protected zones or designated low-speed corridors for ships.
All of Lecoeur’s images were taken off the coast of Monaco, highlighting the rich biodiversity of the Principality’s own waters. Whether seen at sea or in photographs, these animals offer a rare glimpse of a living heritage that demands vigilance and action to ensure its survival.
