Reserve Effect Monitoring
Natural Heritage
When a Marine Protected Area is well managed, marine life flourishes: more fish species can be observed, in greater numbers and of larger size. This is known as the reserve effect.
Since 2016, the AMPN has been monitoring the evolution of fish populations in Monaco’s Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), as well as in comparison zones subject to fishing. These observations help highlight the reserve effect and demonstrate the effectiveness of MPAs.
Twice a year, surveys are carried out in collaboration with the scientific divers of Thalassa Marine Research & Environmental Awareness and Aquanaute Expertise. The second campaign of 2025 has just been completed. The results are currently being analyzed and, we hope, will confirm the trend observed since 2016: a strong reserve effect at the heart of Monaco’s MPAs.
This program is supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.
Photo Credit : Stéphane Jamme - Aquanaute Expertise.