PELAGOS SANCTUARY
Three Countries, one goal
To ensure a favourable conservation status of marine mammals by protecting them
and their habitats from direct or indirect negative impacts of human activities
ABOUT US
A cross-border Sanctuary for the saveguard of marine biodiversity
On the 25th of November 1999, the Pelagos Agreement was signed in Rome by France, Italy and the Principality of Monaco.
Having come into effect on February 21th 2002, the main role of the Pelagos Agreement is to promote harmonised actions and management measures for the protection of cetaceans and their habitats against all causes of human-induced disturbance and mortality (e.g., pollution, noise, accidental capture, injury, etc).
SPECIES
8 species of whales and dolphins live in the Sanctuary on a regular basis
and the monk seal can be spotted occasionally
The marine mammals of the Sanctuary have their particular lifestyle and habits and socially interact in different ways.
Striped dolphin
Bottlenose dolphin
Common dolphin
Cuvier’s beaked whale
Risso’s dolphin
Long-finned pilot whale
SPERM whale
Fin whale
Monk seal
GET INVOLVED
The Pelagos Sanctuary belongs to everyone.
Get involved to protect marine mammals and their habitat
GET INVOLVED
The Pelagos Sanctuary belongs to everyone.
Get involved to protect marine mammals and their habitat
NEWS
The Pelagos Secretariat is attending the COP24 to the Barcelona Convention
The Pelagos Secretariat is at COP24 to the Barcelona Convention in Cairo, Egypt. From 2–5 December, we’re bringing the Pelagos Agreement voice to side-events and plenary sessions.
MOP10 – held in Monaco the 10th Meeting of the Parties to the Pelagos Agreement
On November 12 and 13, 2025, the 10th Meeting of the Parties to the Pelagos Agreement (MOP10) was held in Monaco, bringing together representatives of the three Member States (France, Italy, and the Principality of Monaco), as well as numerous partners, collaborators, and observers.
The Permanent Secretariat takes part in the Adapt-Pelagos workshop on sustainable cruising in the Pelagos Sanctuary
On September 16, 2025, at the Yacht Club of Monaco, the Permanent Secretariat took part in the meeting organized as part of the Adapt-Pelagos project, actively contributing to the thematic workshop dedicated to sustainable cruising and recreational boating in the Pelagos Sanctuary.
Pelagos and the challenge of recreational boating: the next step in the French Riviera
Pelagos studies the impact of recreational boating in the Sanctuary to protect whales and dolphins and promote sustainable practices.
Monitoring of recreational nautical traffic in the Pelagos Sanctuary: results and management perspectives
Pelagos studies the impact of recreational boating in the Sanctuary to protect whales and dolphins and promote sustainable practices.
The Pelagos Secretariat is attending the COP24 to the Barcelona Convention
The Pelagos Secretariat is at COP24 to the Barcelona Convention in Cairo, Egypt. From 2–5 December, we’re bringing the Pelagos Agreement voice to side-events and plenary sessions.
KEEP IN TOUCH
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Photos credits :
©S. Brouder – Tethys
©Cima Research Foundation
©L. Gordigiani – Tethys
©Juliette Dedet – MIRACETI
© Maurizio Würtz – Coll. Institut océanographique, Fondation Albert Ier, Prince de Monaco
© M. Würtz -Artescienza
