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
Assessment of cetacean abundance, distribution, and habitat in the pelagos sanctuary: the results
How many cetaceans live in the Pelagos Sanctuary? A new study reveals where they are, how many there are, and how to better protect them.
The 17th Scientific and Technical Committee of the Pelagos Agreement: Scientific Research for Cetacean Conservation
On June 3–4, 2025, the 17th Scientific and Technical Committee (STC17) of the Pelagos Agreement took place in Riomaggiore, within the Cinque Terre National Park.
The Pelagos Sanctuary strengthens its commitment against ship-whale collisions
On June 16, 2025, the Pelagos Sanctuary took part in the 1st International Workshop on Ship-Whale Collisions, held in Brest (France) as part of the OCEANS 2025 conference.
Pelagos celebrates 25 years of international cooperation at UNOC3 in Nice
The Pelagos Sanctuary took part in the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), the most significant global event dedicated to ocean protection, held in Nice from June 9 to 13.
Pelagos Agreement at the 1st International Workshop on Ship/Whale Collisions – OCEANS 2025
The Pelagos Agreement is proud to announce its active participation in the 1st International Workshop on Ship/Whale Collisions, taking place on Monday, June 16, 2025, at Le Quartz, Brest (France).
Cooperation and Conservation in the Pelagos Sanctuary: Technical Workshop Held in Savona
The event, promoted by the Pelagos Agreement and co-organized by the Municipality of Savona and the Bergeggi Marine Protected Area, represented a key opportunity to strengthen synergies among the various actors involved in the conservation of cetaceans and marine ecosystems within the 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.
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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
