Friends of the Oceanographic Museum: “We bring together everyone acting to protect the oceans”
More than a century after its founding, the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco relies on the Friends Association to extend its reach and bring its ocean protection projects to life © S. Peroumal
Founded in 2011 by the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, the Friends of the Museum Association now gathers 300 members around a common mission: supporting the museum’s projects and raising awareness for ocean conservation.
“The association was created in 2011 under the initiative of the Oceanographic Museum, with the goal of fostering the museum’s development and supporting its various activities nationally and internationally, namely ocean protection and awareness,” explains Cyrielle Decroocq, the association’s executive secretary.
An organisation in service of the ocean
The Friends Association acts as a bridge between the general public and the scientific institution. Its mission focuses on three main areas: fundraising to support museum projects, organising awareness events and building a community committed to marine protection. Cyrielle Decroocq coordinates all activities: project management, event organisation, member relations and volunteer supervision. “I coordinate and implement all activities, from conception to execution,” she says.
The association now includes around 300 members from all walks of life, reflecting the diversity of audiences concerned with ocean issues. Membership is open to all, with several tiers: the Exploration membership for under-30s and Discovery, Loyalty, or Passion categories, each offering specific benefits. “Our members are very diverse because our goal is to share the love of the ocean and raise awareness for its protection,” says Decroocq. “We bring together everyone acting positively for the oceans, highlight their contributions and create opportunities for exchange and sharing.”
Flagship events to mobilise support
The Summer Party
Since 2024, the Summer Party has become a key event. Held on the museum’s rooftop terrace, this summer evening brings the community together to raise funds for heritage projects. “There’s always a place for families among the museum’s friends,” notes Decroocq. The event offers an intergenerational program: raffles with prizes for adults, hands-on activities and educational tours for children.
- Museum Day
A flagship event already in its sixth edition, the Museum Festival transforms the museum into an ocean-lovers’ fair from 9 am to 7 pm. Regional organisations engaged in marine protection offer fun activities for all ages. The event fills all museum spaces with a rich program: artistic, sports and educational activities, sometimes even surprising ones like seaweed tasting. Regular partners include The Animal Fund (whale protection), AMPN (marine protected areas), CESMM, SMA and the Monaco media library.
€350,000 supporting science and heritage
The association’s impact is tangible. In 2024, it contributed €350,000 to the Oceanographic Museum. Funds were allocated across four strategic areas identified by the institution. Heritage projects included restoring over 3,000 ancient books, preserving the museum’s scientific library. Scientific projects involved acquiring a water analysis machine for rapid quality detection and developing innovative fish bandages to heal wounds while administering medication.
The Océano pour tous (Oceano for All) program is one of the most important initiatives. It includes a school competition for classes in France, the overseas territories and the Mediterranean basin, as well as family workshops organised with Secours Catholique to welcome children and families with limited access to the sea.
Commitment amid environmental urgency
Facing contemporary challenges, the awareness mission takes on critical importance. The Mediterranean, a semi-enclosed sea representing less than 1% of the world’s oceans, faces major environmental threats: plastic pollution, climate change, overfishing and ocean acidification. “The Mediterranean is one of the most polluted seas in the world. We still have much to do locally to address this,” warns Decroocq. Urgency drives the association’s actions, from selecting scientific projects to the themes of awareness events.
Every euro raised contributes to restoring scientific heritage or funding educational programs reaching thousands of children each year. The environmental urgency requires mobilisation at all levels. The association continually seeks new support through three circles of engagement: partner companies to co-finance major events like the Museum Festival, volunteers to supervise field activities and members to expand the community of ambassadors.
Hope for a restored Mediterranean
The museum’s permanent exhibition Mediterranean 2050 is a scientific manifesto of hope. “I invite everyone to visit this exhibition. It shows what we could achieve if we all worked together to protect our Mediterranean Sea,” says Decroocq. The exhibition not only warns of dangers but presents concrete solutions—from technological innovations to behaviour changes—showing that a better future is possible. The message of hope perfectly summarises the philosophy of the Friends Association: raising awareness to better protect and uniting to act effectively.
Practical information
- Join: https://www.amisdumom.com/adhesion/ (Exploration, Discovery, Loyalty, Passion tiers)
- Donate: tax-deductible donations via www.amisdumom.com
- Sponsor a fish: personalised certificate + annual museum access
- Volunteer: help at events, sign up on the website
- Corporate partnerships: contact via www.amisdumom.com