Towards a strategy for the recovering of the Mediterranean monk seal in the Adriatic-Ionian Basin

Abstract

Occasional but recurrent sightings indicate that the endangered Mediterranean monk seal is still present in most of its historical range within the Adriatic-Ionian region in the central Mediterranean Sea. However, in most of the adjacent countries, the species’ abundance and distribution are practically unknown. An actively reproducing sub-population with a minimum of 25 adult/sub-adult seals lives in the Greek central Ionian Sea. The latter can form a nucleus from which the entire Adriatic-Ionian Basin could be re-colonized if adequate conservation measures are implemented throughout the area and in a coordinated manner. We examine the historical presence in the region as a baseline for providing a benchmark for conservation. We further look into the species’ habitat availability, possibilities for a rapid population assessment and various parameters that are considered crucial for its conservation, such as the existence of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), corridors for connectivity purposes as well as needs for raising public awareness. We recommend a series of interlinked actions within the framework of a conservation strategy the implementation of which will ensure the conditions for maintaining ecologically, demographically, and genetically viable sub-populations of this species emblematic for the entire Mediterranean Sea. To achieve this goal, a coalition of partners from this area is required in order to adopt the strategy and jointly implement the measures required.

Ten Years of Mediterranean Monk Seal Stranding Records in Greece under the Microscope: What Do the Data Suggest?

“…For example, the effects of the El Niño Southern Oscillation events on the fur seal, sea lion, and harbor seal populations along the west coast of South and North America are well known [41]. Moreover, sea level rise may also pose a future threat to the survival of the Mediterranean monk seal as critical caves can be left with no access through the water [12]. Recent studies also highlight the possible long-term effect of climatic fluctuations on the demographic history of the species (e.g., the lowering of sea level and sea surface temperatures along with salinity variations that the Last Glacial Maximum provoked in the Mediterranean Basin ( [42] and references therein), yet their role is still poorly understood.…”

“…Long-term public awareness actions to increase public knowledge and citizen science to increase community involvement may mitigate the levels of friction. However, as stated by Panou et al [12], the problem will not be solved unless beneficial measures for fishers are implemented while marine resources remain at low levels, especially if monk seal numbers are to increase due to effective protection measures.…”

“…Finally, additional analysis was carried out in the central part of the eastern Ionian Sea (hereafter the Ionian Sea), namely Cephalonia, Ithaca and the islets in the Inner Ionian Archipelago. The area was selected as it is one of the best-studied areas in Greece where a monk seal sub-population lives and breeds, consisting of a minimum of 25 adult/subadult photo-identified monk seals (Aliki Panou, unpublished data), several juveniles and up to 12 pups born annually [12]. Here, conservation efforts date back to the mid-80s [13], including monitoring the interaction between monk seals and the small-scale fishery, recording the damage to catches and gear and the cause of seal deaths for the first time [4].…”

“…Here, conservation efforts date back to the mid-80s [13], including monitoring the interaction between monk seals and the small-scale fishery, recording the damage to catches and gear and the cause of seal deaths for the first time [4]. The local population of this area may serve as a nucleus from which the entire Adriatic-Ionian Basin could be re-colonized [12] given the ability of the Mediterranean monk seal to travel up to 300 km within a few months [8]. The Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) approach was applied [14] here as an indirect way to identify potential regions with high occurrence of monk seal stranding events based on different types of spatial information.…”

Investigating Rare and Endangered Species: When a Single Methodology Is Not Enough—The Mediterranean Monk Seal Monachus monachus along the Coast of Salento (South Apulia, Italy)

“…The present research represents a new and preliminary step to shed light on a poorly explored area of the status of MMS, potentially linked to the well-known monk seal reproductive sub-population from the Greek Ionian Island [9,12,40,[81][82][83][84][85], by using combined appropriate research methodologies (questionnaire with fishermen, interviews with witnesses of sightings, and compilation of historical presence). To our knowledge, this is the first time that three different methodologies, such as these, are combined to investigate the historical and present information of an endangered species such as the Mediterranean monk seal.…”