‘Recognition’ – Three new exhibits to discover at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco

There is one word that sums up the spirit of this opening ceremony: gratitude. Gratitude towards the visionary creators of the tank now named “Jean Jaubert”, who, over thirty years ago, demonstrated that it was possible to keep corals alive and help them grow in a controlled environment; gratitude towards those who have shaped our history and continue to promote it; and finally, gratitude towards our patrons, whose trust and loyalty inspire us and carry us into the future

Robert Calcagno, Directeur de l’Institut océanographique, Fondation Albert Ier, Prince de Monaco

THE “JEAN JAUBERT” TANK: WHERE INNOVATION AND THE PRESERVATION OF LIFE COME TOGETHER…

The Oceanographic Museum unveils the complete renovation of one of its iconic tanks: a new setting for a living treasure. Home to a genuine fragment of coral reef from the Red Sea, the “Jean Jaubert” tank showcases historic corals, which arrived at the Oceanographic Museum in 1990. After more than 35 years in existence, this major restoration has enabled the structure to be reinforced and modernised, whilst ensuring the preservation of the nearly 80 coral colonies it houses.

This project drew on the full expertise of the Museum’s technical and aquarium teams to recreate a coral reef as faithfully as possible:

living aspects: relocation, reintroduction and acclimatisation of species, refilling with water and biological rebalancing…;
technical aspects: increasing the water volume, redesigning the décor, installing a 1.7-tonne (the weight of an elephant!) panoramic glass panel 10 cm thick, offering a more immersive view of the tank and its inhabitants…

A symbol of scientific innovation since its creation in 1990, this tank—now holding 38,000 litres and located in the aquarium’s tropical section—was one of the first in the world to host and sustain a coral reef in an artificial environment. Designed following an expedition led by Professor Jean Jaubert in the Gulf of Tadjoura in Djibouti, this tank saw the birth of the technique of coral cuttings – a unique expertise now practised in aquariums around the world and which contributes to the international renown of the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco.

Fully restored, the tank is now named the ‘Jean Jaubert Tank’, in tribute to its creator, a pioneer in coral reef reproduction and Director of the Oceanographic Museum from 2004 to 2007.

More than just a viewing area, this tank is a tool for conservation, education and raising awareness, true to the Oceanographic Institute’s mission. It is an invitation to appreciate the beauty and wonder of this fragment of the Red Sea and, above all, to preserve this living heritage.

An educational display featuring a digital projection using projection mapping technology completes the exhibit, enabling visitors to understand the vital role of coral reefs and to appreciate their fragility and beauty.

What is a coral cutting?

Cuttings involve carefully removing fragments of coral and attaching them to specific supports. These cuttings are then placed in tanks where environmental conditions—temperature, light, salinity, water quality—are strictly controlled to promote their growth. On average, 300 coral cuttings are produced each year in the Oceanographic Museum’s nursery, before being transferred to the aquariums.

CONFERENCE HALL: WHERE HISTORY CONTINUES TO BE WRITTEN...

Measuring nearly 40 metres in length and covering more than 500 m², the Conference Hall of the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco has embodied the Principality of Monaco’s commitment to protecting the ocean for over a century. Every year, nearly 650,000 visitors pass through it, often unaware of the major events and prominent figures – including the Princes of Monaco – who have graced it over the years during major international gatherings.

New digital and complementary features now bring this history to life, whilst highlighting the Conference Hall’s central role as a space for knowledge-sharing and engagement where history continues to be written:

A 12-minute film, shown on a continuous loop, combines archive footage and contemporary images to trace over a century of commitment: from documents relating to Prince Albert I and highlights of Rainier III’s reign to the initiatives led by H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and the Oceano community. The film concludes by inviting visitors to look up at the ceiling adorned with illustrated coffers, the room’s heritage gem.
Eight audio modules offer an intimate insight into the lives of the great figures who have left their mark on this place. These include scientists, heads of state, and leading figures from the worlds of business and the arts – amongst them Commander Cousteau, Jean Malaurie, Anita Conti, Jean-Louis Etienne and John Kerry. Arranged in a chronological sequence organised around the reigns of the Princes of Monaco (Prince Albert I, Prince Rainier III and H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco), these listening points recreate an experience where “the walls speak to you” and where every voice committed to protecting the ocean seems to address the visitor directly.
An information and news display at the entrance to the room allows visitors to access all the content of the audio modules and the film, even when the Conference Room is not accessible.

History of the Conference Room:

Over the decades, the Conference Hall has been the scene of many significant moments, including:

- 1905: Prince Albert I hosted the first test flights of the Léger helicopter on the construction site of the future Conference Hall – an early symbol of the link between scientific progress and exploration.
- 1959: Scientific conference on the disposal of radioactive waste, bringing together 300 scientists from 31 countries – Monaco opposed the dumping of nuclear waste in the Mediterranean at the time.
- 2008: 1^st Congress on Ocean Acidification – 155 scientists launched the Monaco Appeal to alert world leaders.
- 2008: Conference on the conservation of bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean – a call for international protection and the introduction of fishing quotas, compliance with which has since enabled the species to recover.
- 2010: First edition of the Monaco Blue Initiative (MBI) – a gathering of key ocean stakeholders to devise concrete conservation solutions. The event has become a major annual fixture on the ocean agenda.
- 2019: Presentation of the IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere – a key reference document to aid policy-making, essential in the face of the climate emergency.

RECOGNITION OF THE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTE’S BENEFACTORS: WHEN A PLAQUE CELEBRATES COMMITMENT…

H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco unveiled, in the Salon d’Honneur, three new plaques paying tribute to the patrons, sponsors and donors of the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco. Far more than a simple list of names, these inscriptions bear witness to a concrete and lasting commitment: financial support, actions taken and a constantly renewed trust in the Oceanographic Institute.

Whether acting on behalf of an institution, a company or as individuals, these benefactors make numerous projects possible. Their generosity and loyalty form the essential foundation upon which the Oceanographic Institute’s major initiatives rest.

Carved in stone, these plaques symbolise the strength and enduring nature of these bonds of commitment.