Marine Educative Area "Generation 8": MEA discovery on site

The Marine Educative Area (MEA) welcomes new Sea Ambassadors. This year, a CM2 class from the Institution François d’Assise–Nicolas Barré is mobilizing around a major issue: climate change and its impacts on biodiversity.

This morning, the AMPN team, together with Dr. Alexis Pey (Thalassa Marine Research), guided the students along the AME for their first exploration of the site. The program included an introduction to the different terrestrial and marine habitats, the species present, and awareness-raising about human activities that place various pressures on the natural environment.

The students shared their first impressions of the AME through keywords and a schematic representation of the site. This step marks the starting point of a learning journey aimed at raising their awareness of climate change.

The morning continued with an introduction to fish anatomy and species diversity, helping students better understand their habitats, behaviors, and ecological roles—an essential step in grasping the consequences of climate disruption on marine ecosystems.

To guide them in their adventure, a mascot inspired by a species found in the AME—the salema—was introduced to them. It shared its concerns about the changes it observes in the Mediterranean and asked for their help. Moved by its message, the students immediately adopted it and gave it a name: Toby the salema.

As a learning space, the AME enables younger generations to discover the richness of biodiversity, to understand the threats it faces, and to become involved in concrete conservation actions.

Program supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and the Government of Monaco.

Photo credit : AMPN