Saint-Charles School Students Join Monaco Association in Pioneering Marine Study

Monaco's budding marine scientists from Saint-Charles School recently embarked on a novel conservation project, utilizing state-of-the-art technology to study marine predators in their natural surroundings. This initiative, spearheaded by the Monaco Association for Nature Protection (AMPN) in collaboration with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and Community Jameel, introduced the students to the Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems (BRUVS). This innovative tool allows for the non-invasive observation of marine life, crucial for the ongoing protection of Monaco’s aquatic biodiversity.

The BRUVS technology, featuring a central frame with dual high-resolution waterproof cameras, captures stereoscopic images that enable precise measurements of fish sizes. The system, which includes a perforated bait box filled with sardines to attract marine carnivores, is lowered into the sea and anchored to a surface buoy, thus minimizing human interference with the underwater ecosystem. During the project, AMPN deployed these cameras at various offshore locations, while the students conducted parallel studies in shallower waters near the Rainier III breakwater.

This educational venture provided the students with hands-on experience in marine research, enhancing their understanding of both the technology and the ecological dynamics of their local marine environment. Their active involvement in reviewing and analyzing the collected video footage at the AMPN headquarters further honed their scientific skills and cemented their role in the future of marine conservation in Monaco. By integrating innovative research methods into the curriculum, Monaco is nurturing a new generation of environmental stewards committed to safeguarding its marine heritage.