The Monaco Explorations team has presented the final report from its Indian Ocean mission, highlighting new international cooperation efforts aimed at protecting marine biodiversity while supporting sustainable economic development across the region…
Over the course of two months, scientists, researchers and experts travelled more than 13,500 kilometres across the Indian Ocean, focusing particularly on the Seychelles and Mauritius. Structured around Monaco Explorations’ four core themes, coral protection, megafauna, marine protected areas and innovative exploration techniques, the mission brought together 150 participants from around twenty nationalities.
The report outlines 25 practical recommendations designed to strengthen ocean governance and encourage sustainable management of marine ecosystems. Particular attention was given to the Saya de Malha Bank, one of the world’s largest seagrass ecosystems, jointly managed by Mauritius and the Seychelles and increasingly viewed as a model for international ocean conservation.
The mission has already attracted significant global interest. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has confirmed support for the next phase of research, while the German government and the Schmidt Foundation, founded by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and Wendy Schmidt, are also backing future exploration projects.
Monaco Explorations described the initiative as a concrete continuation of the ocean legacy of Prince Albert I, with new Mediterranean missions now underway as part of the programme’s 2025–2030 cycle.
Image: Jeremy Ducray