Natural Heritage - Monitoring of the Reserve Effect

In June, one of the two annual campaigns to monitor the reserve effect took place. The reserve effect occurs when a Marine Protected Area is properly managed and results in an increase in the number of fish (density), their size (biomass), and the number of species (species richness).

To verify the effectiveness of the management measures applied in Monaco's Marine Protected Areas, the reserve effect has been monitored twice a year since 2016 by the consultancy Thalassa Marine research & Environmental awareness.

This monitoring, conducted through scuba diving, involves counting the number, size, and species of fish present in the Principality's Marine Protected Areas and comparing them with non-protected areas.

The first monitoring campaign was conducted in June, with the second scheduled for September. The results are clear: for several years, the reserve effect has been well-identified in Monaco, demonstrating the effectiveness of the management measures.

A scientific publication has just been published in ICES Journal of Marine Science highlighting the effectiveness of the Larvotto Marine Protected Area in preserving biodiversity in the context of urban development.

The program is supported by the Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco.

Photo credit : Stéphane Jamme - Aquanaute Expertise.