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The Mediterranean monk seal is the rarest of seal species and
one of the six most endangered mammals in the world. J. Hermann first
described the Mediterranean monk seal in 1779 giving it its Latin name
Monachus Monachus meaning monk or loner. Contrary to present belief that
Monachus Monachus is a solitary animal, the name
is attributed to the seal's dark colour which resembles a monk's cloak while
its thick neck reminds one of a monk's hood.
The Mediterranean monk seal is the only species of seal that lives in the
Mediterranean and does not exist anywhere else in the world.
In the Odyssey, Homer describes vast herds of these seals lying on the
beaches of the ancient world, but nowadays only about 400-500 of these
mammals still exist - roughly half of them in Greek waters. Unless effective
measures are taken promptly, the Mediterranean monk seal will disappear
altogether in the next couple of decades and our sole reminder of them will
be legends and fairy tales. The local Monk Seals wigh around 300 kilos anda
re about 2.5 metres in length. They are grey or brown with a lighter
underbelly. Newborns are 1 metre long and weigh 15-20 kilos. The
reproductive period is between July and December and it is estimated that
Monachus Monachus may reach the age of 34 years.
Because the Monk Seal needs solitude to rest and breed, and because there
are so few of these beautiful animals left, little is known of their private
lives. We do know that they live on fish and octopus and that they seek rest
and privacy in the coastal caves where they give birth to a single pup.
Their food supply has become a serious problem in waters which have been
overfished and which are still often fished illegally (with the use of
dynamite, poisons and scuba spearfishing). They poach from fishermen's nets
and in doing so damage the nets. Fishermen have traditionally protected
their livelihood but now conscientious fishermen are showing more and more
sympathy and concern for these fellow users of the sea. Also the increasing
encroachment by man in the form of hotels and leisure activities tend to rob
the Monk Seals of their remaining shelters.
The Monk Seal Project on Kefalonia, Ithaca and
Lefkas is funded by WWF and they would like you to help conservation by not
looking for the seals in their seashore caves as they are easily frightened
by walkers or boats even quite a distance away. But if you do see a seal, it
would help the project by observing it carefully without chasing it or
otherwise threatening it. Note down the time and place of the sighting, the
size of the animal, colour and markings and note its behaviour. Also tell
the port police if you see any illegal fishing activities (people with the
use of scuba diving equipment or dynamite).
Mom is the Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of
the Monk Seal
A non-profit non-governmental environmental organisation founded in 1988 by
a team of marine biologists and environmental researchers.
Mom's actions target the conservation of the marine environment by ensuring
the survival of Monachus monachus. It's aims are to research and study the
biology, ecology and behaviour of the species and to conserve it through any
legal meanse.
Mom 18 Solomou Street, Athens 10682.
Tel ++30 210 5222888, Fax ++30 210 5222450
Email: info@mom.gr
Website www.mom.gr
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