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Challenger Society for Marine Science Conference at Newcastle University in presence of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco

Published on 13 September 2018 at 12:00 - Modified the 25 July 2023 at 03:01

Challenger Society Speech

H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco with Professor Rachel Mills, President of the Challenger Society

H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco was invited to give a keynote presentation on the occasion of the eighteenth edition of the Biennial Conference of the Challenger Society for Marine Science at Newcastle University. He was accompanied by H.E. Mrs Evelyne Genta and H.E. Mr Bernard Fautrier, Vice President and Administrator of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.

Founded in 1903, the Challenger Society for Marine Science is a learned society for marine scientists in the UK. The Society’s objectives are to advance the study and application of marine science through research and education as well as to actively disseminate knowledge of marine science to the public by contributing to public debate and government policy on the development of marine science. The Society also holds regular scientific meetings in order to discuss all aspects of marine science such as the Society’s Challenger Conference which is the premier Ocean Science meeting in the UK.

H.S.H. Prince Albert was welcomed to Newcastle University by its President, Professor Chris Day, and Dr Alan Jamieson, lecturer in marine ecology as well as by Professor Robert Upstill-Goddard, marine biogeochemistry professor and Professor Rachel Mills, President of the Challenger Society and Dean of the environmental and life sciences faculty of Southampton University. The Conference began with a welcoming address by Professor Rachel Mills who then awarded the perpetual member status of the Challenger Society to H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco.

His Highness gave a speech where He highlighted the urgent action that needs to be taken in order to avoid irreversible tragedies in the world’s Oceans caused by plastic pollution. H.S.H. Prince Albert also mentioned that His passion for the protection of the Seas and Oceans is a family legacy, following in the footsteps of His father and great grandfather. He urged the UK to take the lead in the war on plastics to save the World’s Oceans and to start implementing measures to reduce the Ocean’s pollution. During His visit, His Highness also mentioned His wish to start working with the University of Newcastle on a project for the protection of the Oceans and was interviewed by SkyNews as part of their «Sky’s Ocean Rescue campaign».