The Oceanographic Museum of Monaco has hosted the ‘Rencontres Oceano pour Tous’ event to conclude the 12th edition of the Oceano pour Tous competition. Bringing together 11 classes from France, Algeria, Italy, Spain, Tunisia, and Turkey, the two-day event, which took place on 9th and 10th June, served as a platform for intercultural dialogue and a collaborative commitment to the Mediterranean Sea and the broader ocean.
Launched in 2014 by the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco in partnership with the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, the programme aims to make marine science accessible to students facing social or geographical barriers. Throughout the academic year, more than 1,000 pupils took part in digital workshops and field activities, culminating in a range of community-based conservation projects.
Cyril Gomez, Deputy Director General of the Oceanographic Institute, highlighted the initiative’s impact: “Through our Oceano Jeunesse programme, we provide students who face geographical or social barriers with the opportunity to connect with the sea. ‘Oceano pour Tous’ is more than a competition; it is a catalyst for engagement. These students remind us that local initiatives fuel a broader collective dynamic, and their energy and creativity are essential in building the world of tomorrow.”
Innovative student-led solutions
The winning projects showcased a sophisticated blend of scientific rigour and community advocacy. Students from École La Pau in Barcelona spearheaded a campaign titled ¿Cómo sería el mar sin la Posidonia? (What Would the Sea Be Like Without Posidonia?). Utilising posters and comics, the pupils highlighted how boat anchors devastate this fragile aquatic plant. “Posidonia generates an incredible amount of oxygen—up to 20 litres per day per square metre—and serves as a vital habitat supporting over 1,400 marine species,” Belén Rodriguez, the school’s teacher, told Monaco Life.
Meanwhile, fifth-grade pupils from École Marcel Pagnol in Cannes La Bocca addressed the intricacies of sustainable fishing through a seasonal recipe book. By researching size restrictions and breeding cycles, the children sought to sensitise recreational fishers to the environmental consequences of their actions.
“Regarding seasonality,” their teacher explained, “we created a guide categorised by season to ensure minimal environmental impact. We understand that during specific periods, species are reproducing, nursing juveniles, or are otherwise vulnerable, and should be left alone. Through research, meetings with professional fishers, and practical workshops, we gathered the necessary knowledge to produce this booklet and filmed a supplementary video to champion these sustainable practices.”
Cultivating the next generation of stewards
The true impact of Oceano pour Tous is found not in the accolades, but in the measurable momentum these students are generating across the Mediterranean. This year’s selection highlighted a striking diversity of approaches, from the scientific rigour displayed by the Lycée École et Loisirs d’Oran, whose research into marine turtle life cycles has become a vital resource for their local community, to the adventurous spirit of Naples’ Istituto Comprensivo Statale Ferdinando Russo. Their ‘Trames de voyage’ project effectively bridged the gap between the classroom and the coast, utilising sailing expeditions to ground their scientific workshops in direct, hands-on observation of the marine ecosystem.
Perhaps the most inventive response to the region’s changing environment came from the Lycée anatolien Sabancı in Marmaris, Turkey. Their ‘The eye behind me’ initiative moved beyond passive education, combining coastal cleanup efforts with digital innovation to create a new application that assists recreational fishers in identifying and reporting invasive lionfish. These projects, along with 12 others from across France and Monaco, were awarded funding to scale their initiatives, ensuring these grassroots efforts continue to thrive well beyond the end of the school year.
“Year after year, Oceano pour Tous shows how capable young people are of transforming ocean-related issues into concrete action. Their energy and dedication to sharing what they have learned make these students true ambassadors. I am proud to support this generation, which is already fully committed to the future of our planet,” said Estelle Lefébure, Ambassador of Oceano pour Tous.
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Main photo: Oceano Pour Tous event held at the Oceanographic Museum / Photo credit: Philippe Fitte