The Monaco Monitor

What do you do when a country’s economy is growing at 5 to 10 per cent a year, but you have barely two square kilometers of surface area in which to accommodate this expansion? Answer: talk to the neighbors. In a wide ranging, informal talk for the Monaco Press Club on Tuesday morning, chaired by President Bernard Spindler, a relaxed Minister of State Jean-Paul Proust, discussed his ideas on how Monaco can go forward into the future. (more…)

Thierry Apparu, 38, has joined Monaco Info, the Principality’s cable television channel, as managing editor. A journalist since 1992, Mr. Apparu was a reporter for Radio Monte Carlo before being charged with setting up and developing Equipe TV’s office in Monaco from 1998 to 2002. (more…)

On Thursday 8th March, H.S.H. Prince Albert II took part in International Polar Year at the National Museum of Natural History, which organized a three-day symposium dedicated to scientists on the theme: “The Arctic of today and tomorrow: environment, society and heritage”. (more…)

There was an outbreak of fire in ward B of the ENT unit of the CHPG at 3.44 p.m. last March 11. A surgeon and an anaesthetist, assisted by 4 specialised nurses, were performing an operation on a patient under local anaesthetic. For reasons as yet undetermined, a fire broke out, setting ablaze hair and the operating theatre napkin. (more…)

Since the United Nations first designated 8th March as International Women’s Day with the purpose of promoting gender equality, this day has been celebrated by the International community. (more…)

The Princess Grace Hospital’s Committee to Combat Pain (CLUD), have presented in the hospital foyer a certain number of techniques to evaluate and treat acute post-operative pain and persistent chronic pain on last Tuesday 13th March 2007. As far as post-operative pain is concerned, techniques using « morphine pumps » have been touched upon in particular. (more…)

First 149 apartments are almost ready for Monégasques. Prince Albert II took time out to visit the Zone A construction site in Fontvieille, Monaco, where 199 apartments are being created in eight buildings for Monégasque nationals. The first 149 are due to be delivered by the end of April with the rest following during 2007. All will be completed by the end of the year. The project has taken just on three years to complete and is one of several designed to provide much needed, affordable housing for the 6,700-plus nationals in the face of rapidly increasing rents in the private sector for non-Monégasque residents. According to the “Global Property Guide” website, Monaco has moved into top spot as being the most expensive place to buy an apartment in Europe (see the March issue of The Riviera Times). A 120sqm apartment could set you back a cool 3 million Euro, compared to 2 million Euro for exclusive areas of London, such as Chelsea, Belgravia and Knightsbridge. The same size apartment costs 6,100 Euro to rent, on average, compared to the very reasonable 1,300 Euro a month that a Monégasque family reportedly will have to pay for a 100sqm, well appointed flat overlooking the port of Fontvieille. The Zone A project also includes provision for 430 car parking spaces, of which around a third are public and 200 basement storage rooms (“caves”).

Monaco Info, the Press Centre’s cable channel has taken a gigantic step forward, after broadcasting on a local level (within the Principality), it now reaches out to a “universal” audience over the web. (more…)

On the initiative of the Department of the Environment, Urban Planning and Construction (DEUC), a campaign to take an inventory of the “Epinephelus marginatus”, commonly known as the brown grouper, was carried out in the waters of the Principality in October 2006. The purpose of this mission was to establish a qualitative and quantitative report on the grouper population and compare it to two previous studies conducted in 1995 and 1997. The study also involved evaluating the impact of development work in Port Hercule on the population and checking whether the increase in numbers recorded on the French Mediterranean coast, was also true for Monaco. The species, of great importance from a national heritage point of view, is the most widespread of the eight species of grouper found in the Mediterranean, although it is at risk as far as its population numbers are concerned, as it is particularly vulnerable to certain types of fishing. Underwater fishing of grouper has been prohibited in the Principality since January 1993 and the species benefits from special protection measures in the French Mediterranean region, by means of a moratorium (2003–2007). From 16th to 18th October 2006, with logistics support from the Naval Services and help from divers belonging to the Prince’s Company of Carabiniers, nine biologists/divers, including seven from the « Groupe d’Etude du Mérou » (GEM), furrowed Monegasque waters, from Fontvielle to Larvotto, in order to make a census of this fish population, following a protocol that has been used for many years, especially in the reserve of the Port-Cros National Park. Divided into two teams, the divers meticulously explored the various sites, advancing 5 to 10 metres at a time and taking down the following parameters for every grouper they encountered: size, diving time, depth, characteristics of the habitat, behaviour and direction of movement. In order to prevent any duplication in the count, each team gave a report and summary of observations on the divers’ return. At the end of the campaign, Mrs Valérie Davenet, in charge of the project at the DEUC, stated: “the consensus shows a significant increase in the grouper population, which only registered 7 individuals in 1995, 12 in 1997, and today 83 specimens measuring between 20 and 110 cm. This increase is also marked by a younger population with young grouper observed (under 2 years of age), synonymous of a resurgence in reproduction, which we are absolutely delighted about”. She also pointed out that: “three years following the completion of the sea wall and counter jetty in Port Hercule, this inventory proves that the impact of the work has had no impact on the grouper population and has even contributed towards creating a favourable living environment. Furthermore, the increase in numbers, of the same order as those recorded in the rest of the French Mediterranean, is most probably the consequence of the conservation programme from which the species benefits”. The study also shows that two sectors are the most popular: the first, with 31 grouper, is located between the area below the Museum and the ball joint of the main sea wall in La Condamine Harbour, the second with 28 grouper is situated between the area below the Fairmont and the Larvotto outlet channel. A dozen fish were also counted between the jetty on the west of Fontvielle and Saint Nicolas and another dozen between the counter jetty and foot of the Fairmont. It was noted also that grouper measuring less than 30 cm were observed exclusively on the east of the Museum (ball joint, main sea wall, slope from the Spélugues and towards the Larvotto) but not in the west and that large-sized grouper are found in all sectors. Finally, an analysis of bathymetric distribution shows a high proportion of fish (56.6%) in the 20 to 30 metre deep zone, followed by 27.7% between 10 and 20 m, 7.2 % in the 0 to 10 m zone and 8.4% beyond 30m.  

The new regulations only affect hand luggage. At home, when packing your luggage : Pack all liquids: water, beverages, perfumes, gel, shampoo, toothpaste, mascara, creams, lotions, oils, sprays, shaving foam, deodorants… in bags to be checked in to the aircraft hold! You are only allowed to take small quantities of liquids in your hand luggage : containers with a maximum capacity of 100 ml each; pack these containers in one transparent, re-sealable plastic bag of not more than one litre capacity per passenger (such as a freezer bag – format 20cm x 20cm). 

ExceptionsMedicines and baby foods for use during the trip. At the heliport : To facilitate the work of security staff: present all liquids carried to staff at the security check point for screening; take off your jacket and/or coat; remove laptop computers or other electrical devices from your hand luggage. They will be screened separately whilst you are being screened. At Nice Côte d’Azur airport : All items purchased after the security check (« Airside » zone) including liquids, beverages and perfumes… may be taken on board, regardless of their size. You may therefore purchase items in the departure lounge at your will (within the duty free allowances set by customs).