This week, Monaco hosted the second edition of the Académie de la Mer, which kicked off with a dedicated session on the state of global whale populations. This session highlighted the increasing scientific and legal challenges facing whale conservation.
The principality’s engagement in whale protection
His Serene Highness Prince Albert II attended the Académie de la Mer de Monaco (A2M) session focused on whales, signaling the Principality’s ongoing commitment to global marine protection efforts. This session marked the beginning of a series of thematic discussions organized as part of the academy’s program, which gathers leading international experts in science, law, and environmental policy.

The mission of Académie de la Mer
This year’s edition of the Académie continues its mission of fostering scientific dialogue and actionable strategies for the protection of marine ecosystems. The session on whales set the tone for a week of in-depth discussions, bringing together scientists, legal experts, and environmental advocates to tackle pressing ocean-related challenges.
Broader themes and the role of international law
Through the lens of whale conservation, the session also addressed broader themes such as the role of international law in regulating maritime activities, the use of technology in marine monitoring, and the ethics of human interaction with marine megafauna.
A platform for knowledge exchange
Organized under the auspices of the Oceanographic Institute and in line with the environmental vision of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the Académie serves as a high-level platform for exchange on the sustainable management of the world’s oceans.