Over the next five years the Marine Insitute in Oranmore and the Institut de Océanographique of Monoco are to further strengthen ties working closely together on research and cutting-edge technology to solve the challenges facing sustainable development of the oceans.
The pledge between the two internationally renowned organisations comes following the historic signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in the presence of Prince Albert II of Monoco who visited the Marine Institute building in Rinville yesterday morning.
The prince, accompanied by his fiancée, Ms Charlene Wittstock, arrived in Ireland last Monday attending a number of events in Dublin before visiting the Marine Institute. The visit was organised at the request of the prince who keenly follows his family’s traditional interest in marine envionmental awareness. The Memorandum of Understanding, which was drawn up by the Marine Institute in Galway and the Institut Océanographique of Monaco to coincide with the visit, seeks to further develop joint events, outreach and awareness activities between both organisations in a number of important areas on marine education, environmental protection, renewable ocean energy, and the ecosystem approach to fisheries management.
It was signed in the presence of Prince Albert as well as the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine Simon Coveney, CEO of the Marine Institute Dr Peter Heffernan, and chief executive of the Institut Océanographique of Monaco Mr Robert Calcagno.
Welcoming this momentous occasion, Minister Coveney said the visit supports the “development of shared links in a range of activities on the marine in both Ireland and Monoco”. He said: “Prince Albert and I were pleased that the institutes signed a Memorandum of Understanding which reflects, in very concrete terms, the shared interest in the sustainable development of ocean resources between our two organisations. It was a tremendous honour for me to be here in Galway to welcome Prince Albert II of Monaco, honorary chairman of the Institut Oceanographique, the grandson of its founder, who so obviously shares the family passion for the sea. We look forward to a fruitful collaboration between our two organisations in raising awareness of the very real issues that face us in the years ahead.”
The Institut Océanographique of Monaco which celebrated its 100th birthday in March 2010 was founded by Prince Albert I and since its creation has contributed considerably to the development of modern oceanography. Chief executive Mr Calcagno explained that his institute was created to appreciate, understand, and protect the oceans, evolving into an institute that is a “dynamic, determined player, actively engaged in international co-operation”.
“We are particularly pleased to start this partnership with the renowned Marine Institute in Galway, Ireland. We hope to gain insights into the cutting edge technologies developed by Ireland which aim at solving the challenges of sustainably developing its vast undersea territory. The development of energy from the sea is an extremely promising subject for co-operation,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the Marine Institute, chief executive Dr Peter Heffernan said: “It is a great honour to work with an organisation with such close ties to the legendary Jacques Yves-Cousteau, the underwater explorer and film maker who inspired a generation of marine researchers and took a quantum leap in educating the world about the global issues facing the sustainable development of the oceans.”
During a tour of the Marine Institute Prince Albert and Ms Wittstock were briefed on the many programmes and research projects being implemented including SmartBay which is part of Sea Change - the Marine Knowledge, Research and Innovation Strategy for Ireland 2007 to 2013.
The couple were then whisked off to Ashford Castle near Cong, Co Mayo, for lunch and then on to Newport where they were due to meet relatives of the prince before taking a flight back to Monoco last night. Fifty years ago the prince’s late father and mother, Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace - Hollywood legend Grace Kelly- arrived in Ireland during which they paid a visit to Newport and to the family home that Princess Grace’s grandfather left behind when he emigrated to America.
