New
Area
This new open-air space can be accessed from inside the aquarium, and will take you on the fabulous journey of sea turtles.
You will learn all about these highly migratory creatures and especially how fragile they are. You can do your part to ensure their protection. Young children will love the educational activities.
— Endangered species
INCREASE AWARENESS TO PROTECT
Discover the great adventure of sea turtles at this new open-air space of the Musée Océanographique, learn about their life-cycle and the threats to their existence, the magic of egg-laying and the actions taken to ensure their protection. This unique area gives visitors an opportunity to discover, share and get involved in the life of sea turtles.
— Get involved!
THE “TURTLE TRAIL”
This original and fun trail will take you on a journey through time, from the very first turtles in existence, to the seven species still here today, but for how long? What threats do they face? How can we protect them? We will give you some essential pieces of information.
A free games booklet (available at the welcome desk or in the gift shop) for children to discover sea turtles with activities on Wednesdays and at the weekend: 10 missions will take them from the aquarium exhibition rooms to the panoramic terrace. The goal: to become a real “ambassador for the protection of turtles”.
— The Institute and the Principality are doing their part
THE TREATMENT CENTRE
The Monaco Centre for the treatment of marine species (CMSEM) is right at the heart of our
new strategy for action and awareness. Pinna Nobilis,
seahorses and sea turtles are treated there. The most frequent injuries are:
bycatch in fishing nets, collision with marine waste, cracked shell, ingestion of plastic or fish hooks, etc.
Our expert teams are able to handle these protected species and work in partnership with specialised veterinary surgeons and French and European networks of treatment centres for sea turtles. It provides the opportunity to contribute to research programmes concerning the biology of these species, their behaviour and their environment.
— Meet Avril and Samy
WHERE DO OUR "PATIENTS" COME FROM?
The CMSEM treats turtles which have been recovered directly from the sea, on the Monaco coastline or nearby. They could also be handed to us by other treatment centres which find themselves saturated when the turtle is recovered. The Institut Océanographique works namely with the French Mediterranean Sea Turtles Network (RTMMF), which is a network run by the French Herpetological Society, and the Centre for Research and Conservation of Mediterranean Sea Turtles (CESTMed) in Grau du Roi. All users of the sea (public authorities, boaters, divers, fishermen, etc.) are asked to inform us if they come across an animal in distress.
— Objective: freedom
RETURN TO THE SEA
Before being returned to their natural habitat, the turtles to be treated are introduced into a recovery pool of 160 m3, located in open-air, to test their ability to return to the sea (feeding, swimming, etc.). Some of them are equipped with a “hi-tech backpack” covered with sensors. This scientific device means that key data can be collected, showing their movements, behaviour and feeding areas.
The public can follow recovered turtles’ movements online. By playing a key role in their survival and in a better understanding of their life cycle, the CMSEM is participating directly in the protection and conservation of endangered species.
Download the detailed documentation
“Protect the sea turtles
with the Institut Océanographique”
