Day: 1 November 2018

Since the beginning of October, reports of dead or moribund brown groupers have multiplied in the Bay of Monaco. At this stage, a dozen cases have been registered by the Directorate of the Environment. 

The brown grouper is a protected species in the Principality, whose monitoring and counting have been provided for the past ten years in collaboration with the Grouper Expert Group (GEM). 

To determine the causes of these mortalities, a veterinary expertise on three specimens was mandated last week. The symptoms and the first results make it possible to move towards a viral infection that has already been observed in the past on many occasions in the Mediterranean (Crete, Libya, Malta, Corsica …). 

Since 1979 and to date, mortality observations have always been reported between the months of July and October. 

According to the observations, the virus began to develop along the southern shore before reaching the northern Mediterranean, without any link with the warming of the waters.

This does not question the importance of temperature as a triggering factor. The majority of individuals found dead were between 30 and 80 cm tall.

The virus in question is not transmissible to humans. Infected fish may have swim bladder swelling, damaged eyes, vitreous eyes, and poor skin condition. 

For any group found dead or dying, it is asked to notify the Directorate of the Environment 98.98.83.41 or the Directorate of Maritime Affairs 98.98.22.80, to ensure the care of the animal. 

Jean Castellini, Government Counselor-Minister of Finance and Economy, made a point on the policy of support for housing implemented by the Government. In particular, he referred to two ministerial decrees relating to the taking into account of the points of anticipation in the conditions of attribution of public housing and the assumption by the State, in the form of a zero interest loan, the costs of guarantee and commission of agency in the free sector, which will appear Friday, November 2nd.

He stressed that “The Government is involved in a global vision of housing policy in consultation with the National Council.This global vision is reflected in the implementation of medium and long-term structuring measures and accompanying measures”.

On 1 ^st January 2019, the benchmark rent of ANL and ceilings rents ADL will be upgraded for the first 15 to 29% depending on the type of apartments ranging from studios to 4 rooms for 5 seconds % uniformly.

In addition, the Prince’s Government is pursuing its investment policy that good fiscal health makes possible. Over the past 3 years, € 315 million has been invested for the acquisition of 13 buildings and more than 65 apartments. In the 2019 Primitive Budget, 100 million euros are registered to allow the start of intermediate public operations and the acquisition of new buildings or apartments, the objective being to accommodate more Monegasques in the state sector.

On the occasion of this press point, the Councilor also announced the finalization of the negotiations for the acquisition of the Villa Les Platanes, which will allow the launch of phase 1 of the Ida project.

“These are all new measures to take into account the reality of the real estate market but also the special housing situation in Monaco” said Jean Castellini in conclusion.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo officially opened the fifth Our Ocean Conference (OOC) 2018 at Nusa Dua Convention Center on Monday (Oct. 29).

HSH Prince Albert II is among several world leaders attending the conference in Bali.

The opening ceremony began with dance performances from various regions in Indonesia. A duet address was delivered by the Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti and Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi.

President Jokowi said that as a maritime nation, Indonesia is aware that its territory consists of a large areas of water. Much more than its land territory. “We are all aware that the Earth is covered vastly by the ocean than by land area. We know very well that the seas and oceans are our future. Our ocean, our future,” he said.

According to the President, the role of the ocean is huge, especially in supporting economic distribution. “More than 90 percent of total global trade volume is conducted through the
ocean. More than 40 percent of global trade value passes through the ocean. Sixty-one percent of the world’s crude oil is distributed through the ocean. The world’s maritime resources are valued at around US$ 24 trillion,” the President explained.

A sea storm ravaged the beaches of the Monaco coast. This exceptional meteorological episode did not spare the Principality, touching the Monegasque coast with violence. The weather alert launched late yesterday afternoon announced torrential rains but it is a strong swell that fell on the coast, causing extensive damage, especially on the seaside site of Larvotto.

Marie-Pierre Gramaglia, Government Advisor-Minister of Equipment, Environment and Urbanism, mobilized the teams and resources of the Urban Planning Department to clear and clean the site, in collaboration with the SMA. Marie-Pierre Gramaglia, Jean Castellini, Government Counselor-Minister of Finance and Economy, Jean-Luc Puyo, Director of Urban Planning, and Remy Rolland, Administrator of Domains, then went to Larvotto to meet the traders and managers of beach establishments and take full measure of events.

Marie-Pierre Gramaglia declared “The storm that struck us that night was out of proportion to what had been announced. The teams of the Department of Urban Planning (DAU) and the Directorate of Maritime Affairs (DAM) are mobilized. After a cleaning of the area, the means of protection against a new blow of sea will be reinforced by the teams of the DAU and the DAM “. Jean Castellini confirmed: “Everything will be done to clean up, evaluate, support and help those who have lost a lot”.

Marie-Pierre Gramaglia then visited the port of Fontvieille, to see the facilities of the Roca Jet Club heavily impacted, and the heliport of Fontvieille. On the latter, the two removable platforms, the safety nets and the maritime facades of the hangars were affected, with little effect on the helicopter traffic.

The offshore dike of Port Hercule is also subject to controls. For this purpose, the car park has been temporarily closed for safety reasons.

State services remain mobilized for the new meteorological episode announced in the next 48 hours.

Videos of the storm

Monaco resident Steven Saltzman filmed the storm, and you can see the videos below.