HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco Establishes Monaco Explorations: A Three-year Campaign of Scientific Explorations at Sea

     (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/520741/Monaco_Explorations_Leinen.jpg )
     (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/520744/Monaco_Explorations_Route_Infographic.jpg )
     (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/520745/Monaco_Explorations_Yersin.jpg )

     (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/520746/Monaco_Explorations_Prince_Albert_II.jpg )

Initiated by and with the support of the Princely Government and the ship's owner , the Monaco Explorations campaign will continue the Principality's long tradition of sea exploration as well as its influence in politics and policies of sea conservation. The campaign provides a research platform for dozens of scientists worldwide and aims to raise public awareness regarding the research findings as well as the many threats facing the seas today.

said at the press conference at the United Nations headquarters on the eve of World Oceans Day.

The first stop of the campaign will be in Macaronesia in the Atlantic Ocean off the western coast of Africa . The focus on this stop will include studying biodiversity and mega fauna, marking for data collection, extracting environmental DNA, and developing a deeper understanding of the chemical and biological effects of global warming. Researchers will study little known but very rich areas of biodiversity such as seamounts and, finally, there will be a focus on the development of programs dedicated to protecting endangered species and developing marine protected areas.

The Monaco Explorations campaign's scientific programs as well as the equipment on the vessel were carefully selected by the Scientific Steering Committee; a global team of internationally renowned scientists who are also leaders of recognized research organizations in marine biology.

The Yersin is a 250-foot classified "clean ship" and was built to have as little environmental impact as possible. The ship includes six scientific laboratories with the latest technological equipment.

says Scientific Steering Committee member , Director of Scripps.