The Oceanographic Museum of Monaco bid farewell to its major Polar Mission exhibition at the start of this year, having welcomed 1.7 million visitors during its two years on display. However, the Southern Ocean—and its vital role in regulating the global climate—continues to shape the focus of the Oceanographic Institute and its latest campaign on the creation and development of Marine Protected Areas.
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are designated oceanic zones where human activities, such as fishing and tourism, are restricted or carefully monitored and managed to protect marine ecosystems and biodiversity.
With just 7% of the world’s oceans currently part of an MPA, the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco has launched a new campaign titled “What are we waiting for to be happy?” The campaign aims to raise awareness of the importance of these zones and to encourage citizens to support global conservation policies such as the 30×30 target, which aims to protect 30% of the world’s terrestrial and marine environments by 2030, in line with the Global Biodiversity Framework adopted in 2022.
Stories from the Southern Ocean, building upon the narratives shared in the Polar Mission exhibition, will be at the heart of the Institute’s campaign. It will highlight the climate-regulating powers and strengths of this unique reservoir of biodiversity.
The Oceanographic Institute’s campaign aims to emphasize the importance of MPAs, particularly in critical areas such as the Southern Ocean, offering a hopeful message of how effective protection measures can contribute to a healthier planet.
The campaign also underscores the need for global cooperation, calling on individuals, governments, and organizations to take concrete actions to secure MPAs and foster a sustainable relationship with the world’s oceans.
By championing Marine Protected Areas, the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco continues its efforts to protect marine biodiversity and combat the climate crisis, working toward a healthier, more resilient future for the planet.
In 2025, the Oceanographic Museum is set to replace the popular Polar Mission with an exhibition focusing on a body of water closer to home this spring: the Mediterranean. Though the finer details are yet to be announced, the museum has revealed it will have a similar multi-year scope.
A video clip on the new MPA campaign and its goals can be viewed below:
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Photo credit: Jay Ruzesky, Unsplash