A powerful new exhibition highlighting the fragile beauty of the Mediterranean Sea has opened in Monaco, as the Sanctuaire Pelagos travelling photo series arrives at the Galerie des Pêcheurs. Running from 1 April to 15 June 2025, the showcase invites visitors to explore the ecological richness of the Pelagos Sanctuary through the lens of renowned marine photographer Greg Lecoeur.
Organised by the environmental association We Are Méditerranée, the exhibition presents a collection of images capturing the diversity of marine life in one of the world’s most ecologically significant yet threatened regions. With its sweeping photographic narrative, the initiative aims to raise awareness about the conservation challenges facing the Pelagos Sanctuary, a transboundary protected area shared by France, Italy and Monaco.
Established in 1999, the Sanctuary spans 87,500 km² and serves as a vital refuge for numerous marine species, including dolphins, sperm whales and loggerhead turtles. Despite its scale and international status, the Sanctuary remains relatively unknown to the general public. This exhibition seeks to change that by presenting the underwater world in vivid detail while underlining the urgency of cross-border cooperation in protecting marine biodiversity.
Originally unveiled on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice in 2024, the Sanctuaire Pelagos exhibition also appeared at the Port of Genoa from March to May 2025. Its current Monaco stop coincides with the third United Nations Ocean Conference, reinforcing the Principality’s continued engagement in marine conservation.
Through Expédition Pelagos—a series of scientific and photographic missions conducted aboard a catamaran between 2023 and 2024—Lecoeur and a team of researchers documented the Sanctuary’s rich ecosystems. Their work forms the basis of this exhibition, combining visual art with scientific insight to inspire greater public understanding and environmental responsibility.
The Mediterranean Sea, despite covering less than 1% of the world’s ocean surface, is home to more than 17,000 species, making it a global biodiversity hotspot. However, the region is also under considerable strain. Plastic waste, overfishing, dense maritime traffic, and climate-driven changes such as marine heatwaves are pushing key species like the monk seal and angel shark to the brink of extinction.
The exhibition features striking images of marine giants such as fin whales and pilot whales, alongside lesser-known creatures like mobula rays and argonauts. Each photograph is accompanied by educational content designed to inform and engage visitors in the Sanctuary’s plight and the broader environmental pressures on the Mediterranean basin.
Founded by Lecoeur, We Are Méditerranée aims to reconnect the public with nature by combining photography, science and education. The non-profit organisation promotes the region’s marine heritage and encourages a more sustainable approach to human interaction with the sea.
With Monaco’s ongoing commitment to environmental diplomacy and marine protection, the exhibition serves as both an artistic tribute and a call to action. Visitors are encouraged to reflect on their own impact and consider how individual and collective choices might safeguard the future of one of Earth’s most extraordinary marine environments.
