Prince Albert II lends his support to MPAs
A leading European monarch, and a good friend of Arran, Prince Albert II of Monaco, was in Scotland this week voicing his support for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), including the one in Lamlash.
The ruling monarch of the Principality of Monaco is a relative of the late Lady Jean Fforde and spent some of his formative years on Arran during family holidays. His last visit was in October last year on the sad occasion of Lady Jean’s funeral.
Launching a conference at the University of Edinburgh, he outlined the Monaco Blue Initiative. The prince also met with oceanographers and marine experts to discuss the issues that face the world’s oceans and marine life.
Important
In an interview with the BBC, Prince Albert said: ‘The recognition that oceans have to be taken into consideration when you consider all issues concerning the environment, with climate change at the forefront of that, I think is extremely important.
‘Half of the air we breathe is produced by the oceans and if you just want to take home that concept then that’s reason enough for us to be concerned about our oceans.’
The conference detailed the need for the establishment, protection and scientific study of MPAs and the desire of seeing a wealth of them around the globe.
Prince Albert added: ‘The subject of marine protected areas is extremely productive. It provides essential strategies for the broader issues of biodiversity protection, preservation of marine areas and, more importantly, man’s harmonious co-existence with his natural environment.’
The Monaco Blue Initiative conference, which took place in Edinburgh last weekend, was attended by the chief executive officer of the oceanographic institute, the French ambassador of the oceans and a number of leading heads of international environmental groups and organisations.