Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus conservation: a case study in the Desertas Islands

Abstract

The population of monk seals Monachus monachus on the Desertas Islands started to decline dramatically after the 1970s, hence the introduction of a project for the conservation of the species in 1988. Since then measures have been taken to achieve effective protection of those islands, and environemental education, monitoring and research programmes have been carried out. Methodologies used have been as non-intrusive as possible. Ten years later, the results have proved to be very positive. The monk seal, as well as its habitat, are adequately protected and the population, estimated at 20 individuals, is now on the increase with the growing number of births. With regard to the finding of biological and ecological data on the species, although somehow limited, it has been sufficient to help establish the most suitable strategies for the protection and conservation of the monk seal on the Desertas Islands.Resume. -La population de phoques moines, Monachus monachus, des lies Desertas a regresse de fagon accentuee ä partir des annees 70. C'est pour cette raison qu'en 1988, un programme pour la conservation de cette espece a debute. Depuis lors, des actions de protection effective de ces iles, des actions d'education environnementale, de suivi et de recherche ont ete realisees. Les methodologies utilisees sont autant que possible non intrusives. Dix ans plus tard, on a pu constater que les resultats etaient tres positifs. Le phoque moine et son habitat sont proteges de maniere adequate et la population, estimee a 20 individus, se trouve en phase de recuperation. On constate egalement une augmentation de la production annuelle de jeunes. Quant ä la determination des parametres de la biologic et de l'ecologie de cette espece, bien que limitee, eile permet neanmoins de definir les strategies les plus adequates ä la protection et a la conservation du phoque moine dans les lies Desertas.

Assessing accidental entanglement as a threat to the Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus

“…This is due to the prohibition of the use of gill nets throughout the entire Madeira Islands in combination with the strict protection and the fishing regulations enforced around the main pupping sites of the species at the Desertas islands. The results of the present study justify the decision of PNMS to provide incentives to local fishers to switch from using static fishing nets to using alternative forms of fishing, such as long-lines (Pires & Neves 2001). Considering, however, the fact that the species is showing encouraging signs of recovery in its repopulation of the main island of Madeira, and that interactions of Mediterranean monk seals with fisheries have increased (Pires et al 2008), accidental entanglements might occur in the near future.…”

Damage by monk seals to gear of the artisanal fishery in the Foça Monk Seal Pilot Conservation Area, Turkey

“…marine turtles) should be considered carefully. The same management practise as proposed above, in the Desertas Islands of Madeira with an additional new long line subsidy in exchange for fishing nets, proved to be applicable and beneficial for the survival of the monk seals (Pires and Neves, 2001). Among the gill nets used in the Foça PMSCA, G2-type nets were more susceptible to monk seal attacks.…”

Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachus monachus): Fishery Interactions in the Archipelago of Madeira

“…In 1980, the population was believed to be on the brink of extinction with only six to eight individuals estimated at the remote Desertas Islands (Reiner & dos Santos, 1984). To prevent the extirpation of the Mediterranean monk seal in the Archipelago of Madeira, the Parque Natural da Madeira Service (PNMS) initiated a Monk Seal Conservation and Monitoring Program in 1988; and in 1990, the Desertas Islands were declared a Nature Reserve (Pires & Neves, 2001). The new restrictions imposed by the reserve included banning all gill and trammel nets.…”

“…To compensate for potential financial losses incurred by these restrictions, local fishermen were provided with alternative fishing gear and equipment (e.g., long-lines, buoys, etc.) by PNMS (Neves & Pires, 1999;Pires & Neves, 2001).…”