Canadian Cosmetic Cluster Team
Uniting Canadian Cosmetics and Bringing it to the World
 As the Canadian Cosmetic Cluster gears up to bring sea-smart solutions to the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, let’s dip our toes into seven splashy facts about the Mediterranean—especially its French Riviera stretch—and dream of a bluer future powered by seaweed farms. A Semi-Closed Sparkling Basin Covering about 2.5 million km² with a volume of roughly 3.7 million km³, the Mediterranean is nearly landlocked, linked to the Atlantic only through the Strait of Gibraltar. That narrow throat supplies some 70,000 m³/s of Atlantic water—without it, the sea level would plunge at nearly 1 m per year—and gives the basin a water “residence time” of about 100 years.[1] Salinity That Packs a Punch Evaporation outpaces freshwater inputs here, driving average surface salinity to about 38 PSU (parts per thousand)—higher than almost any other open sea. In its western depths, salinity still clocks in at 38.4 PSU, rising to 38.7 PSU in the eastern Mediterranean.[2] Temperatures That Go from Bracing to Balmy Along the Côte d’Azur—in Villefranche-sur-Mer, just east of Nice—the Mediterranean’s annual water temperature averages around 18.2 °C. Winters dip to about 13.1 °C in February, while August highs hover at a swimsuit-friendly 24.8 °C.[3] A Biodiversity Hotspot with Endemic Flair Though it spans under 1% of the world’s ocean area, the Mediterranean hosts over 17,000 marine species—20–30% of them found nowhere else on Earth. Yet only 8.9% of its waters lie within Marine Protected Areas, and a scant 0.04% are no-take zones.[4] Tourism’s Azure Magnet Nice is France’s second-most visited city after Paris, drawing roughly 5 million visitors each year. Those sun-seekers generate nearly €1.5 billion in economic spin-offs—proof that crystal-blue coastlines pay dividends.[5] Aquaculture’s Untapped Promise In 2021, Mediterranean and Black Sea nations produced some 3.3 million tonnes of aquaculture (fish, molluscs, etc.), valued at about USD 10.8 billion. Meanwhile, global seaweed farming (37.8 million tonnes of algae in 2022) could one day absorb 135 million tonnes of CO₂ annually—imagine that power harnessed in a Mediterranean kelp farm![6] Warming Waters, Warning Bells Last summer, surface-water thermometers off Villefranche-sur-Mer registered a record-smashing 29.4 °C—too hot for sensitive gorgonians, corals and seagrass, and a harbinger of more frequent marine heatwaves.[7]  The Mediterranean’s clear, temperate waters and nutrient-rich currents make it ripe for a seaweed revolution. By integrating seaweed aquaculture—ropes of kelp swaying beneath yachts and trawlers alike—we can deliver a steady, local supply of ingredients for blue-beauty formulations, bioplastics and beyond. Seaweed farms could buffer coastal communities against climate extremes, sequester carbon at scale, and seed a vibrant industry that marries the French Riviera’s natural allure with the Canadian Cosmetic Cluster’s marine expertise. Let’s sow the seeds of a greener—and bluer—Mediterranean together.  The third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) will convene in Nice, France from 9 to 13 June 2025, co-hosted by the governments of France and Costa Rica. This high-level gathering is specifically mandated to accelerate global action in support of Sustainable Development Goal 14—“Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.” By bringing together ministers, scientists, Indigenous leaders, civil society, the private sector and philanthropic partners, UNOC3 seeks to generate the ambitious “Nice Ocean Action Plan,” a roadmap for scaling up marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, blue economies and ocean science partnerships worldwide[8] In the days leading up to the Conference, Nice will host the One Ocean Science Congress (4–6 June 2025), co-organized by France’s CNRS and Ifremer. This Congress will deliver the latest scientific insights on ocean health, resilience and restoration, ensuring that Heads of State and Conference delegates are equipped with evidence-based recommendations to inform policy and investment decisions at UNOC3 [9]. Immediately following, the Ocean Rise and Coastal Resilience Coalition Summit (7 June) will gather mayors and regional leaders from low-lying and island communities to launch concrete commitments on sea-level rise adaptation and coastal infrastructure resilience. Nice’s selection as host city both highlights the Mediterranean’s central role in global ocean stewardship and leverages the French Riviera’s world-class research institutes and maritime heritage. The Conference’s overarching theme—“Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean”—underscores a shift toward inclusive, cross-sectoral partnerships. Over the course of five days, delegates will participate in high-level dialogues, thematic “Blue Zone” panels on finance, technology and community resilience, and side events showcasing innovative solutions—from seaweed aquaculture start-ups to blue-bioeconomy ventures.[10] As the Canadian Cosmetic Cluster prepares to attend, Nice’s blend of scientific rigor, political will and Mediterranean inspiration sets the stage for a truly transformative, bluer future.  References:
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
June 2025
Categories |
RSS Feed