In the early 1970s, environmental issues did not attract much attention and were far from being a major concern. However, figures such as Bompard and Cousteau raised the alarm: the Mediterranean was dying, on the verge of suffocation, and becoming one of the largest garbage dumps in the world.

At the beginning of 1975, the “RAMOGE” lab-ship was operational, conducting systematic bacteriological analyses and various samplings in Monaco’s waters, while the French Riviera was equipping itself with its first wastewater treatment plants and sewer systems.

On February 14, 1975, French Interior Minister Mr. Poniatowski traveled to Monaco for a preparatory meeting ahead of signing the international “RAMOGE” convention. This convention aimed to implement concrete measures to protect the coastline from the harmful effects of pollution.

Together with Italian Minister of Scientific Research Mr. Pedini and Prince Rainier III, they agreed on the principles of the “RAMOGE” convention, which was inspired by the protocol signed with Switzerland for Lake Geneva. An international study commission was established to formulate action proposals, which would then be submitted to the States. Ultimately, however, it would be up to the States themselves to finance and implement the pollution control programs.

In line with the “RAMOGE” initiative, more leaders began to recognize the challenges posed by wastewater treatment, pollution caused by ships, and waste discharged into the sea within a closed maritime basin. In the Mediterranean, circular currents passing through Gibraltar, North Africa, Italy, France, and Spain ensure that everyone eventually pollutes their neighbor. Under these conditions, only agreements between the concerned States can lead to effective action.

The “RAMOGE” Commission became the first operational act that translated the good intentions expressed by Mediterranean States during the now-famous Barcelona Convention in February 1976 into concrete measures.

The first Commission meeting took place in 1982 and launched an ambitious programme to identify sources of pollution, monitor marine environmental quality, compare national regulations, and carry out awareness campaigns.

Between 1984 and 1987, RAMOGE conducted numerous bacteriological analyses and studies aboard the RAMOGE vessel, between the Var and Roya river mouths, to assess water quality and provide the scientific data needed to justify the installation of wastewater treatment plants along the French Riviera and Italian Riviera.

Following the disaster of the Haven tanker spill in 1991, RAMOGE adopted the RAMOGEPOL intervention plan in 1993, which can be activated over a wide area of the Mediterranean. This plan aims to strengthen cooperation in cases of major pollution incidents and share the available ships and aircraft of the three States. In the same year, the Agreement’s coastal action area was extended from the Rhône estuary to the whole of Liguria.

The RAMOGEPOL plan has already proven effective on three occasions, notably during the 2018 collision between the ro-ro vessel Ulysse and the container ship Virginia off the coast of Cap Corse, which spilled 520 tons of oil into the sea. The RAMOGEPOL plan was activated, mobilizing 41 ships and 11 aircraft from France, Italy, and Monaco. This operation successfully recovered 90% of the spilled pollutants at sea, preventing them from reaching the coastline.

During the 1990s and 2000s, actions became more diversified. Following the extension of the RAMOGE area in 1993, this led to a revision of the Agreement in 2003. Improvements in knowledge about pollution and its impacts continued to deepen, but were complemented by new concerns: biodiversity inventories supporting the creation of marine protected areas, monitoring networks, studies on Posidonia seagrass, tackling macro-waste, sustainable port management, coastal erosion, prevention of risks related to non-indigenous species… At the same time, RAMOGE continued its awareness-raising activities targeting the public and sea users.

In 2009, to better organise the many actions carried out, three working groups were established and remain active today: integrated coastal zone management, pollution prevention and control, and awareness-raising.

A new turning point occurred in 2014, following a Mediterranean-focused workshop organised in Malaga by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), where two Ecologically or Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAs) are identified within the RAMOGE zone, covering both pelagic and benthic ecosystems. In this context, RAMOGE undertakesthe first identification of sites of ecological or biological significance within its area of competence, highlighting the importance of submarine canyons and deep rocky outcrops as key habitats. Based on these findings, RAMOGE initiates a series of international oceanographic campaigns involving researchers from the three signatory countries to study these habitats and gather data to guide their protection and conservation. The first campaign was conducted in 2015, followed by another in 2018 and a third in 2022. A new campaign is planned for 2026. The collected data help propose protection measures. A Natura 2000 site has already been created in the open sea around the cluster of three Italian seamounts Ulisse-Doria-Janua, and an extension of the Bergeggi MPA is also under consideration.

RAMOGE remains a recognized agreement and is regularly consulted to share its experience with other Mediterranean States seeking to develop similar sub-regional cooperation. It continues to serve as a model of cross-border collaboration, addressing issues related to biodiversity and the ecological health of the marine environment, as well as the fight against marine pollution from hydrocarbons.