3. Mediterranean Monk Seal
(English Name)
Scientific Name : Monachus Monachus
CR (Critically Endangered) - This species is
listed on CITES Appendix I.
Justification:
Due to its very small, fragmented population
structure and declining numbers, the
Mediterranean Monk Seal is classified as
Critically Endangered (CR). (Further explained
under threats)
4. Atlantic –
eastern central;
Mediterranean
and Black Sea
Population trend
is decreasing.
Estimated total
population size of
350-450 animals,
with 250-300 in
the eastern
Mediterranean,
150-200 are in
Greece and about
Population reduction Declines measured over the longer of
10 years or 3 generations. (90% are Critically Endangered. 100 in Turkey.
5. Threats
The Mediterranean monk seal is one of the most endangered species of mammals.
• Mediterranean monk seals have a long history of interaction with humans that
includes exploitation for subsistence needs, commercial harvest and persecution as
a competitor for fisheries resources or because it produced damage to fishing gear.
• Along the coast of northwest Africa, they became the target of a commercial
harvest for skins and oil by the Portuguese. Also, Increased human pressure
displacing seals from their habitat. (Human Disturbances)
• Contaminant burdens have always been suspected to be a threat to the
Mediterranean monk seal and thus monitoring pollutants has been considered a
high priority
• Mediterranean monk seals are at an unknown but suspected high level of risk from
oil tanker and other ship accidents, spills and groundings. Animals could be oiled or
coated in fuels and lubricants, exposed to other toxic or environment-altering
chemicals or products and experience disturbance at haul outs or coastal feeding
areas.
• Additional risks to Mediterranean monk seals come from political instability and
wars in some parts of their range, has caused the reduction of the carrying capacity
of the environment as a consequence of fishing overexploitation
6. Conservation Strategies
Currently, there is in force a UNEP(United Nations Environment
Program)/Mediterranean Action Plan for the conservation and
management of monk seals in the Mediterranean and a CMS (content
management system) plan for the recovery of the monk seal in the eastern
Atlantic.
Numerous agreements, conventions, and treaties are in force to protect
monk seals internationally, and many workshops and conferences have
brought together scientist and managers to discuss monk seal conservation
issues and problems.
Throughout the range of the species, widespread action has been taken to
sensitize the local human population towards monk seal conservation, to
restrict fishing gear and relocate the most adverse fishing practices, to
develop monitoring programs.
The Mediterranean monk seal is legally protected throughout its range.
Nature reserves e.g.: Northern Sporades Islands National Marine Park in
Greece, to protect more habitat for the monk seal in that region.
WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature), and NGO is also taking initiative by
getting the local people and fishermen in projects to save the marine
ecosystem. (Also IFAW – International Fund for Animal Welfare)
7. Bibliography
Aguilar, A. & Lowry, L. 2008. Monachus monachus. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN
Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011
Robinson. E (Photographer). (1995). Mediterranean Monk
Seal[Photograph], Retrieved: Sept 25, 2011, from:
http://www.explorecrete.com/nature/monachus-monk-seal.html
IFAW International Fund for Animal Welfare/Da Costa
(Photohrapher).(n.d). Mediterranean Monk
[Photograph], Retrieved: Sept 25. 2011, from:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/pinnipeds/medit
erraneanmonkseal.htm
[Unknown Author, Mediterranean Monk Seal]. Retrieved Sept
26, 2011, from:
http://www.animalpicturesarchive.com/view.php?tid=2&did=24110
[Unknown Author, Hawaiian Monk Seals]. Retrieved Sept
26, 2011, from:
http://lmistudenwiki.wikispaces.com/Hawaiian+Monk+Seal
