The Pelagos Sanctuary is under the spotlight at Galerie des Pêcheurs until mid June 2025.

Visual storytelling can be a particularly effective communication tool to raise environmental awareness and engagement, if properly conveyed. Sanctuaire Pelagos (Pelagos Sanctuary) has recently plunged into the iconic Galerie des Pêcheurs, one of the main entrances to the Oceanographic Museum. This traveling XXL photo exhibition, conceived by the will of the Pelagos Secretariat and We Are Méditerranée, eco-engaged and educational non profit association in direct collaboration with scientists, wants to bring the general public closer to the fantastic underwater world of the northern Mediterranean, where the largest Specially Protected Area of Mediterranea Importance (SPAMI) extends over 87,500 km 2.

Thanks to the skill of Greg Lecoeur, award winning professional underwater photographer, the beauty of this natural heritage which needs to be preserved for the safeguarding of emblematic marine mammals like dolphins and cachalots, or sea turtles.

A unique opportunity to explore, understand and act for the Mediterranean Sea, during the 3rd UN Ocean Conference in Monaco and Nice, until the 15th June 2025.

Photo >> Official poster announcing 'Sanctuaire Pelagos' photo exhibition by Greg Lecoeur © Pelagos Secretariat

The photo parade comes from the Pelagos Expedition project, a science-based mission addressed to highlight the extraordinary biological variety that animates the Sanctuary.

The proliferation of marine species in this stretch of sea is favoured by a unique international agreement involving France, Italy and the Principality of Monaco since 1999 to foster marine mammals and their habitats. Thus, increasing its visibility is prior to to promote its commitment and make its projects even more effective.

The Mediterranean Sea includes critical habitat hosting about 17,000 species, that is more than 10% of the known marine biodiversity. The great beauty and fragility of the Mediterranean region has always been the cradle of major civilisations who have excelled in art, culture and science, based on common social and economic roots.

Photo >> A set of meaningful photos by Greg Lecoeur paying tribute to the Pelagos Sanctuary at Galerie des Pêcheurs © Pelagos Secretariat

After the success of Nice (from June to October 2024) and Genoa (from March to early May 2025), the Sanctuaire Pelagos photo exhibition gives voice to the best moments of 2023 and 2024 naturalistic and scientific expeditions on board an equipped catamaran to better understanding of endemic marine species and environments.

The visual outcome is certainly of scientific and statistical interest to check the state of health of the whole Mediterranean Basin, an area particularly affected by human activities.

The Mediterranean coastline (about 46,000 km in total), in fact, host more than 500 million people and attract nearly 360 million visitors each year, with a significant impact in terms of plastic marine litter, overfishing, collision and noise pollution due to maritime traffic. The Pelagos Sanctuary exhibit showcases a long lasting legacy, linking nature conservation and scientific research, financially supported by the Agence de l'Eau. the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the Pelagos Initiative, the Office Français de la Biodiversité, the PACA Region, the Fondation de la Mer and ACCOBAMS.

Every shot is then meant to build a comprehensive puzzle of Mediterranean biodiversity, inviting wonder and reflection. ***

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By Maurice Abbati

• Journalist; Editor; Communication, Media and Public Relations Specialist

• Lecturer and Author in English language of Technical Articles and the Manual: "Communicating the Environment to Save the Planet, a Journey into Eco-Communication" by Springer International Publishing.

Cover page of PhD manual by Maurice Abbati