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Month: January 2020

The world is your oyster

by: James Wren
28/01/2020

James Wren, ZSL’s Executive Vice President of Global Resources, shares his concerns for globally declining oyster populations and how you can help save this important species.
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Our oceans play a vital role in regulating our climate and recycling nutrients, and we are dependent on them for clean water and for food.
Last week H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco joined a panel of experts at the World Economic Forum to discuss our oceans and what’s at stake, as corals continue to bleach and overfishing is maintained at unprecedented levels. He said, “the ocean has been a victim” of man-made climate change, a powerful statement that we at ZSL, support.
We’re working around the world to protect ocean species and habitats, including an ocean ecosystem that’s on the doorstep of our headquarters in London, UK.

Over the last two decades, 85% of global oyster reefs, a precious ecosystem not dissimilar to corals, have been lost. In Britain alone, the native oyster has been driven to the brink of extinction with populations dropping by 95%.
The loss of any species is devastating, but these statistics are even more troubling when the important role of oysters and our oceans is understood. For example, oysters are key to maintaining clean and healthy marine habitats, far more than an edible delicacy.
Sometimes referred to as the vacuum cleaners of our waters, oysters filter particles such as nitrogen to clean water. A single oyster can filter up to 200 litres of seawater daily – quite impressive work for such a small animal.
As well as relying on oysters to maintain optimal water quality, many small marine species use oyster reefs – formed when oysters cluster together on hard surfaces under the water – as shelter for juvenile fish, for spawning and as a protective habitat for animals such as mud crabs and juvenile eels.

Overfishing has played a huge part in the dwindling numbers. Humans have been harvesting oysters for thousands of years. Oysters quickly became a luxury pushing demand which lead to catastrophic overfishing.
Alongside overfishing, habitat loss, pollution and the introduction of diseases hindered the oyster population and it can no longer naturally replenish. Now human intervention is its only hope.
In 2019, ZSL announced the beginning of the biggest restoration of Britain’s largest protected area for native oysters.
Working in the only Marine Conservation Zone (UK marine protected area) in England for native oysters, ZSL – a coalition of oystermen, local communities, NGOs, universities and the UK Government – have begun creating the habitat required for an Oyster Sanctuary, replenishing the estuary’s lost oysters.

One of the ways we restore the population and create new habitats is by using ‘recycled’ shells from oysters bred on the coast of England and sold in one of London’s busy markets. They have been used to “lay the cultch” – a term used to describe the process of laying crushed shells and stones onto the estuary floor. This step is needed, as oysters require a hard surface to grow on, which is not naturally found on the muddy estuary beds on the UK’s coast.
Now, together with ZSL partners, we are creating a ‘Mother Oyster to kick-start a self-sustaining population of the species, involving volunteers, local businesses and youngsters with disabilities and special educational needs.
Quite rightly, we are thrilled to be leading this project, which embodies one of ZSL’s core aims: bringing wildlife back from the brink.
ZSL is still working to save the much-loved oyster and protect our oceans.
Please do what can you do to protect oysters. Here are a couple of ideas:

  • Donate to ZSL to support our continued work to create a world where wildlife thrives. As H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco said last week, “funding of marine protected areas is crucial” and can enable us to continue to make change.
  • Do you know where yours have come from ? Learn more about the oysters you eat and choose certified fish and oysters that can be traced back to their source. You can check websites such as the Marine Conservation Society to find out more.

Working together, we can create a world where wildlife thrives; to find out how you can support us, please visit zsl.org to learn more.
 
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Michelin Guide reveals new green label

by: Cassandra Tanti
28/01/2020

The world’s most renowned restaurant guide is now awarding chefs deemed to be producing “sustainable gastronomy”. The Michelin Guide on Monday released its 2020 edition and while there were no major announcements for Monaco, the introduction of this new “green” category came as a welcome surprise.
The 2020 edition of the French version of the guide features a new green leaf motif, awarded to 51 chefs whose establishment is also awarded with a Plate, Bib Gourmand, or 1, 2 or 3 stars. The new category is being touted by the guide as an important reform.
“The Guide is helping promote the chefs who have taken responsibility by preserving resources and embracing biodiversity, reducing food waste and reducing the consumption of non-renewable energy,” said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of Michelin Guides.
These chefs and their sustainable initiatives will be highlighted on the various platforms of the Michelin Guide throughout the year.
“The ambition of our approach is to amplify the scope of the good and ingenious practices of chefs by putting them in the spotlight,” said Mr Poullennec. “The ideas, methods and know-how developed by these chefs will thus help raise awareness of an entire sector to its customers and the general population.”
The so-called “gastronomy bible”, which received a relatively low-key launch in Paris, contains 3,439 restaurant listings in France and Monaco, 628 of them starred. New three-star ratings went to Christopher Coutanceau, who has a seafood restaurant in La Rochelle, Kei Kobayashi, the Japanese-born chef at Kei restaurant in Paris, and L’Oustau de Baumanière, a family restaurant at Les baux de Provence that lost its third star in 1954.

La Table de l’Alpaga chef Anthony Bisquerra with Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of Michelin Guides.

There were 11 restaurants given two stars for the first time, including La Voile at Ramatuelle, where chef Éric Canino “composes tastes as a homage to his Var homeland”; La Table de l’Alpaga in Megève, where chef Anthony Bisquerra “gives mountain cuisine its acclaim”; and gourmet dessert restaurant Sarkara at the K2 hotel in Courchevel, where chef Sébastien Vauxion “shakes up the rules and transforms vegetables, fruit and other ingredients into incredibly light and sweet dishes.”
Meanwhile, Pure & V in Nice was one of 49 new one-star restaurants. Using 90% organic produce, the restaurant was awarded for its mystery menu delivered by a Danish chef and a young sommelier with a penchant for natural wines. The guide called it a “sleek, canteen vibe restaurant – in other words, flawless.”
According to Michelin, restaurants are selected on four criteria: the quality of the ingredients used, mastery of flavour and cooking techniques, the personality of the chef reflected in their cuisine, and lastly value for money and consistency between visits.
One star denotes “high quality cooking”, two stars “excellent cooking”, and three stars “exceptional cuisine”.
 
 

Pelagos Agreement meeting

by: Staff Writer
28/01/2020

The 12th Scientific and Technical Committee of the Pelagos Agreement, chaired by Alain Barcelo, has met at the Oceanographic Museum.
The meeting took place on Thursday 23rd January in the presence of representatives of the three member countries involved in the Scientific and Technical Committee – France, Italy and the Principality of Monaco. During the meeting, the work program and forecast budget for the 2020-2021 biennium were discusses.
The meeting was attended by many interested parties, including ACCOBAMS, WWF France, Legambiente Onlus, Tethys Research Institute, Souffleurs d’Écume, CIMA Research Foundation, Aire Marine Protégée de Portofino and GIS3M.
Meanwhile, a progress report was drawn up on international projects, funded by the Permanent Secretariat of the Pelagos Agreement, making it possible to identify management proposals for sanctuary areas that are at threat.
At the end of the meeting, the Scientific and Technical Committee formulated recommendations which will be submitted to the next meeting, which will be held this year in Italy.
The Pelagos Agreement, relating to the creation in the Mediterranean of a sanctuary for marine mammals, was signed in Rome in 1999 by Italy, France and the Principality of Monaco and entered into force in 2002. Its objective is to protect marine mammals and their habitats from all causes of disturbance. The Pelagos Sanctuary recently renewed its status of Specially Protected Area of ​​Mediterranean Importance (ASPIM) of the Barcelona Convention and represents the only international protected marine area in the Mediterranean dedicated to the protection of marine mammals.
 
Photo: Costanza Favilli, Executive Secretary of the Pelagos Agreement and Alain Barcelo, Chairman of the Scientific Committee © Directorate of Communication / Michael Alesi © Directorate of Communication / Michael Alesi
 
 

Government urges travellers to avoid coronavirus-affected areas

by: Stephanie Horsman
27/01/2020

Three Chinese nationals have been hospitalised in France after falling ill with the Wuhan coronavirus, while one suspected case in Italy is yet to be confirmed. The Monegasque government says there is no need for alarm, however people should avoid travelling to affected areas in China unless absolutely necessary.  

French authorities have revealed that two of the patients are in Paris and the third is in Bordeaux. None had reportedly shown symptoms prior to arriving in France. The Italian government is investigating a suspected case of the virus in a woman who recently returned to Rome from China and is experiencing flu-like symptoms.

China said on Monday that the death toll from the deadly coronavirus outbreak jumped to 81 as the hard-hit province of Hubei announced 24 new fatalities and expanded measures to keep people at home during what is usually the country’s biggest holiday season.

The total number of confirmed cases nationwide rose sharply to 2,744.

The cases in France put a fine point on the limitations of screening passengers arriving from Chinese airports. Temperature scanners are being used at several European hubs, but France is not amongst them. The efficiency of this method is questionable however as many of those infected take several days to show outward signs of the illness.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), coronaviruses are a family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
A new coronavirus, identified by Chinese authorities on 7th January and currently named 2019-nCoV, has not been previously identified in humans.
According to the WHO, signs of infection include fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.
In more severe cases, it can lead to pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

The Department of Social Affairs and Health in Monaco says it is staying on top of the situation through real-time updates from the World Health Organisation and information provided by the French and Italian Ministries of Health. It says the situation has not yet deteriorated into an international public health emergency.  

“Only people exposed for less than 14 days, having stayed in China or having been in close contact with a person infected with the virus and having a low respiratory infection (cough and fever) are considered suspicious and should consult a doctor, as soon as possible,” said the government in a statement. “It is advisable to avoid going to the areas in question if travel is not essential.”

Photo: Pixabay

 

 

Markets weekly

by:
27/01/2020

After a busy two weeks of quarterly corporate earnings data, this week has some key economic data points to watch out for.
On Tuesday, the January Nationwide house price index data for the UK is published, which may reveal the extent of any initial post-election bounce in activity in the housing market.
Undoubtedly, top of investors’ calendar is the US Federal Reserve (Fed) and the Bank of England (BOE) policy meetings on Wednesday and Thursday respectively. Whilst the market believes that the Fed has accomplished its “insurance cut” mission, and will leave interest rates unchanged, predicting the outcome of the BOE meeting is tougher given weak pre-election data and lack of clarity since.
The fourth-quarter (Q4) flash estimate of US gross domestic product (GDP) is revealed on Thursday. On a seasonally-adjusted annual rate basis, consensus is for an unchanged reading from the previous quarter at 2.1%.
Finally, eurozone preliminary Q4 GDP data is announced on Friday and will show whether growth has started to recover since news on the phase one trade deal and Brexit uncertainty reduced. Subdued inflation remains a key talking point and the week ends with January’s flash eurozone harmonised index of consumer prices and December’s US core personal consumption expenditure index data. Consensus for the latter is for a 0.1pp rise to 0.2% on a month-on-month basis.

Climate change: time for investors to evolve

The last decade was the warmest since records began in 1850 and projections anticipate that temperatures will get hotter still.
Climate change has become a priority for many financiers, business leaders and politicians alike. For instance, climate change is a focus topic at this month’s World Economic Forum in Davos. However, solutions to one of the world’s most pressing challenges may not be emerging fast enough.
The increase in average temperatures is the primary indicator of climate change and driver of many of its effects. Since 1850, 17 of the warmest years on record have occurred in the last 18 years. The world is on average one degree Celsius hotter than it was between 1850 and 1900 (see chart). An increase of one additional degree to average annual temperatures is seen as the threshold to “severe, widespread, and irreversible” effects of a climate breakdown.
In addition to the temperature record, ocean temperatures last year were the highest on record – leading to more ocean acidification, sea-level rise and extreme weather. Both of these measures indicate that the “climate crisis” has reached a new level and rapid measures are needed to speed up the process of cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
With climate seemingly inevitable in an uncertain world, investors can no longer disregard the risks when making investment decisions. Industries and companies working towards reducing the impact of climate change, accelerating energy transition and improving infrastructure are likely to profit the most from increased spending and accommodative policy measures focused around climate change.
For more information contact Barclays Private Bank in Monaco by clicking here or on +377 93 15 35 35
 
 

Thierry Neuville’s electrifying win at Monte-Carlo Rally

by: Stephanie Horsman
27/01/2020

Thierry Neuville has snatched victory from Toyota’s defending champ Sebastien Ogier in the 2020 World Rally Championship season-opening Monte-Carlo Rally which ended Sunday.

Neuville was on absolutely brilliant form, winning both stages of the first loop of the race, then beating Ogier by 1.4 seconds in the La Bollene Vesubie-Piera Cava race and following that with an exciting Wolf Power Stage win-by-a-whisper, making the Hyundi i20 driver the victor in all four stages of the day, and giving him his first WRC Monte-Carlo Rally win.

“We had an incredible feeling the last couple of days and we were able to catch back the time,” said Neuville after the win. “We have been chasing this win for a while but we showed our performance this weekend and it’s a great way to start the season.” 

Elfyn Evans went into the day in a solid second place, but fell behind the leader by over 11 seconds, and eventually came in a respectable third after his Toyota teammate.  

Sebastien Loeb had a disappointing day when his Hyundai i20 Coupe’s tire was wrecked during the final stage of the first loop. The best driver in WRC history, therefore, came in sixth overall after fourth place Esapekka Lappi and fifth place Kalle Rovanpera.

Defending champion Ott Tanak suffered a huge crash after he lost control of his Hyundai i20, the car cartwheeling before rolling several metres down an embankment. Tanak and co-driver Martin Jarveoja emerged unscathed from the shunt.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7sy1vEHJbH/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

The race covered a total of over 304 kilometres and was raced from the 23rd to the 26th of January through a variety of challenging conditions. Starting at the Quai Albert 1er and ending at Casino Square, it spanned sixteen stages, some snow and ice covered.

 
Photo: Automobile Club of Monaco