Items 7.8.9.11 and 12: Reduction in adult mortality

An integrated approach combining awareness campaigns for fishermen and enforcement of appropriate legislation and regulations, on the model of what has been done in the National Marine Park of Alonissos-Northern Sporades (Greece) should be applied in areas where monk seals interact negatively with fishing activity.

The economic impact of seal damage to coastal fisheries and fish farms, and the ways to prevent or mitigate such impact, should be assessed.

Item 10: Development of systems to avoid entanglement in nets

Pilot research studies to assess the effectiveness and consequences of systems to avoid entanglement of seals in nets which are to be carried out in appropriate locations and/or seasons are considered useful.

Items 13-16: Establishment of a network of marine reserves

Already identified sites important for the conservation of the species should be urgently protected and appropriately managed.

Protected sites should be extended to include all valuable habitats for monk seals, aiming at the creation of a network of protected areas.

Items: 17-19: Monitoring. collection of data and exchange of information

E-mail regional networks should be established to facilitate ready exchange of information. RAC/SPA should encourage further contacts between conservation projects for monk seals.

Whenever appropriate, the range of seal movements should be studied as a matter of priority, using suitable techniques (e.g. telemetry). Relevant protocols should be elaborated according to the available experience.

RAC/SPA is invited to hold workshops and to promote expertise to synthesise available information on the biology, ecology and behaviour of Mediterranean monk seals that is critical for conservation. The output of these workshops should be published and be made the subject of a symposium.

Item 20: Rehabilitation of seals

A workshop to develop agreed protocols for the rehabilitation of Mediterranean monk seals should be urgently undertaken and appropriate guidelines put in place.

Items 21-22: Other conservation measures

An Emergency Action Plan should be developed to coordinate action if a mass mortality or other emergency event occurs.

Items 23-26: Information programmes

Awareness programmes for the public should be developed and should be carefully designed in order to avoid dissemination of information that might adversely affect the conservation of the monk seals (e.g. the location of seal caves).

Special attention should be paid to increasing awareness of decision makers.

Item 27: Training programmes

Emphasis should be placed on the organisation of training courses, specific workshops and training grants to address practical aspects which are relevant to the research, conservation and management of monk seals.