Monk Seals in Pantelleria…

First of all, thanks for putting up such an organized and info-packed website – makes my life as a journalist much easier.

I just wanted to check out whether you know anything about the monk seal which was allegedly seen three times this summer in Pantelleria, Italy. A lady I know quite well, who has a small dive centre on the island, says her boatman saw it very well, resting on the rocks in Cala Gadir (I think), then diving in the sea. The seal showed its head again before disappearing. Apparently two other people claimed to have seen a seal sometime before and after this sighting, and it made the headlines (small ones!) in the papers this summer. Do you know anything about it at all?

Eleonora de Sabata, Rome, Italy

Giulia Mo of ICRAM (Istituto Centrale per la Ricerca Applicata al Mare), replies:

The monk seal sighting to which you refer was reported to Gruppo Foca Monaca and was followed up by an on-site investigation carried out by E. Coppola, who interviewed the Pantelleria residents that reported the event. The sighting occurred during the third week of July 1998 along the coast of Mursia, the northwestern region of Pantelleria. The individuals who reported the observation were at sea during the early evening and were intent on retrieving buoys that had been set up for a sailing race. They then noticed the animal stationing at the water surface and observed it for some minutes while approaching it. They identified the round head and large ocular orbits, and also reported that upon diving they were struck by the shape of the rear flippers, which in their opinion were ‘bilobed and almost heart-shaped’. When swimming, phocids tend to keep their hind flippers with the plane lying vertical with respect to the lateral view of their body, and the digits of the flippers are extended and retracted according to the lateral movement of the rear body as they swim. This could give the flippers a somewhat ‘bilobed and heart-shaped’ appearance. Upon further investigation the locals said that other islanders had observed a seal in this location during the previous days. Monk seal presence has not been reported recently in Pantelleria, though the seals were historically present here and around the other Pelagian islands until the 1960s. The island is of volcanic origin and many parts of its coast are characterized by rocky areas with underwater caves. Also testifying to the seal’s historical presence are coastal names, such as Punta del Bue Marino on the northeastern side of the island, as well as a shoal called Secca del Bue marino.

Interestingly enough, two other sightings were reported in this geographical area during the summer (see Figure 2d in Action & Action Plans). The first dates to June 15, 1998 and was carried out by an Italian Coast Guard officer who was conducting standard boat operations 12 miles southwest of Malta. With the aid of binoculars he observed a monk seal stationing on the water surface. He clearly saw a round head and very obvious whiskers or vibrissae. The animal was alone, not more than 1.5 meters in length and dark. He observed it for some minutes and claims that it was hovering at the water’s surface, arching its body and splashing its flippers which were clearly out of the water as the observer could see them clearly. A second sighting was reported by two local fishermen along the southwestern coast of Sicily and occurred in August 1998. The sighting information was kindly reported in great detail by the curator of the Natural History Museum of Comiso in Sicily and the coordinator of the Fondo Siciliano per la Natura (Sicilian Fund for Nature) regional office, who knows the two fishermen and took the responsibility of interviewing and verifying the credibility of the event.

The sighting occurred during mid-afternoon and the locals were able to approach the animal up to a distance of 10 meters. It was also lingering on the surface with its head out of the water. The animal was aware of their presence and remained still while observing them approach. According to the fishermen, the most striking feature were the obvious vibrissae and the fact that it did not appear fearful of their presence. They threw some sardines at it thinking that this would entice the animal to catch the fish. At this point, the animal dove, and they watched its body disappear underwater.

Although none of the reports are photographically documented, the details of parts of these accounts leads us to believe that they are credible. Unfortunately, such information reaches us much later than the sightings take place, making it difficult to track down the people who have witnessed the events. Consequently, ICRAM and Gruppo Foca Monaca (WWF-Italy) have set up a collaboration for gathering information on monk seal sightings in national waters for the approaching summer season. The collaboration involves the assistance of the NOE (Nucleo Operativo Ecologico dei Carabinieri) which is the Italian Ministry of the Environment’s military taskforce involved in environmental monitoring activities. The NOE will provide a toll free number for reported sightings and has agreed to provide ICRAM with logistical support on site in case of sightings. It is hoped, in this way, that all sighting information will arrive in a centralized office, thus avoiding dispersal of important information.

Editor’s Note: Despite being virtually extinct in Italian waters, the Mediterranean monk seal continues to be an infrequent visitor and possibly, even a shy resident here and there.

In this issue of The Monachus Guardian, we are presenting two articles on the monk seal in Italy. One, Action & Action Plans, discusses sightings of Monachus – including those around the above-mentioned island of Pantelleria – and calls for the implementation of a meaningful conservation strategy that might eventually encourage the species to recolonise its former habitat. The other article (The Historical Presence of Monk Seals in the Tuscan Archipelago) explores an area that was once an important haunt of the monk seal. For further information, turn to The Monachus Guardian 1:1, Monk Seal Myths in Sardinia.

 

The Monk Seal Conspiracy

Recently I saw the book The Monk Seal Conspiracy mentioned on your site. Can you please provide me with any information that may help me in acquiring this book?

Theodore Alevrontas, via email

Editor’s Note: Limited numbers of the paperback version of The Monk Seal Conspiracy are still available from the U.K. distributors, Central Books Limited. Ordering information (including postal, telephone, fax and email sales) can be found at the following page at Iridescent-Publishing: http://www.iridescent-publishing.com/mscorder.htm

As reported in this issue’s International News section, the Internet-based Iridescent-Publishing has recently reissued The Monk Seal Conspiracy in its full, unabridged form. It can be found at http://www.iridescent-publishing.com

 

Freedom of Information

In the previous issue of The Monachus Guardian, Alexandros Karamanlidis (Publish or Perish…) emphasised a very important point. It appears that the low chance of encountering seals in the wild is only matched by the difficulty in accessing reliable information on the species through journal publications (the least-used means for publishing information on Monachus), the proceedings of symposiums, conferences, workshops etc., project progress reports, and other grey publications. Many of these are very difficult to obtain for other scientists, conservationists, and officials.

It was with this problem in mind that the Turkish Monk Seal League, an alliance of two Turkish NGOs and one Turkish Institute, decided to prepare a bibliography listing all monk seal publications authored by Turkish scientists. This bibliography, which we aim to distribute to all concerned parties, is already rapidly accessible at the Monachus Library at www.monachus.org.

As a second step, we are preparing to submit the full texts of as many of these publications as possible to the Monachus Library, in order to make them available to all having Internet access.

With the Internet’s international reach, and its ability to deliver documents in a matter of a few seconds or minutes, we think this is an important beginning. We would like to see other countries, organisations and individuals take similar steps, since knowledge is fundamental to our collective efforts to prevent the extinction of the species. The role of the Monachus Library may be particularly important since there has never been any convincing sign that the Regional Activity Center for Specially Protected Areas in Tunis (RAC/SPA) has any intention of fulfilling its mandate in information exchange and international coordination, as required in the UNEP Action Plan.

In view of our information needs, perhaps we should even consider going one step further. Both the Mediterranean and Hawaiian monk seals are critically endangered, and as such, new discoveries, new techniques, news on epidemics etc. could be vital to our conservation efforts. Perhaps IMMA or monachus.org should consider establishing a discussion group or news group to further promote information exchange within the monk seal conservation community?

We look forward to hearing the views of other readers to these proposals in the next issue.

Harun Güçlüsoy, SAD-AFAG, Foça, Turkey

Editor’s Note: The Monachus Guardian would also be keen to hear readers’ views on the issues raised in this letter. As usual, contact us at editor@monachus.org

 

Decline and Fall

What is the cause of the monk seal’s decline? I cannot find any answers anywhere on the Internet. The research that I have been undertaking calls for this information, which I thought would be easy to find. Can you help?

Lola, Chattanooga TN, USA

I am an 8th grader and I am doing a project on the Mediterranean monk seal. I have looked through your website and have found a lot of information, but I need answers to other questions: What are the natural predators of the species, and how does it fit in the food web? What does it eat? What is being done to help it survive? Is its survival important to humans? How has the animal been affected by humans? I would also like more information on its habitat.

D. North, USA.

Editor’s Note: The Monachus Guardian continues to receive numerous requests for general information on monk seals from students, journalists and other interested parties. Regrettably, we are unable to provide detailed, individual answers to readers’ enquiries unless they pose specific questions that can be answered either by the editorial team or by outside experts, and unless they are chosen for publication in this section of The Monachus Guardian.

However, recognising the demand for accurate, general information on the Mediterranean, Hawaiian and Caribbean monk seals, in the very near future we expect to publish ‘vital statistics’ fact sheets under the new, Monachus Profiles section of www.monachus.org.

 

Where Are We?

Please spare a thought for those of us who rarely get to go anywhere as exotic as the Mediterranean, or even Hawaii for that matter… The names of the places don’t mean all that much, I’m afraid, and I can’t search through an atlas while I’m online. So how about publishing some maps to accompany your fine articles? At least I’d know where I am.

Melina, via email

Editor’s Note: Several readers have made similar requests, and it is a point well taken. Starting with this issue, orientation maps will become a regular feature of both articles and news items.

 

In Defense of RAC/SPA

We refer to your Editorial (Navigating the Monk Seal Maze – A Guide for the Layperson) relating to the activities of the Centre for the conservation of biodiversity in the Mediterranean region, and mainly the results of the meeting of experts which was held in Arta about the conservation of three threatened species of fauna: marine turtles, monk seals and the cetaceans.

Your reaction to the activities of the Mediterranean Centre is a sign of interest to the Mediterranean region, and also an initiative which is developing to safeguard the ecosystems and natural resources which become all the more fragile. This interest urges the Centre as well as the staff members to carry on their efforts which are still limited in this region.

To organize a meeting of scientists of high level to bring into focus the outcome of research about the safeguard of endangered species of fauna and their habitat constitutes a necessary activity for the Centre for the implementation of its programs. Some may consider this kind of meeting a waste of time or inaction!! This doesn’t confirm a rational and objective attitude which is necessary to deal with matters on biodiversity in a region where biodiversity is highly threatened by economic and social development activities.

Your organisation, since it is a non-governmental one, and therefore less responsible with respect to the political and scientific authorities, may express what they want to say on whatever matter without having to provide outcomes of the activities that are carried out within the framework of their programs about the conservation of the species.

The Centre for the conservation of the Mediterranean biodiversity, whose main objective is to maintain activity in the region for a sustainable management of biodiversity and safeguard of the threatened species, is looking forward for a cooperation with active organisations in these fields. Will your organisation be among these?

Mohamed Adel Hentati, Director, RAC/SPA, Tunis

Yes… and No…

I found your Editorial on the RAC/SPA meeting in Greece a hoot. At least, it would be hilarious if it weren’t quite so tragic for the monk seal. As someone who’s kept an occasional, if amateur, watch over the state of play in monk seal conservation since Rhodes in 1978, I really have to wonder about the purpose of this RAC/SPA. Correct me if I’m wrong, but as far as I understand it, the Barcelona Convention specifically mandated this organisation to act as a focal point in international coordination and distribution of information in matters relating to Monachus?

A. Spencer, U.K., via email.

Editor’s Note: You are right… and wrong. Actually, under the terms of the Barcelona Convention (or, more specifically, the UNEP Action Plan for the Management of the Mediterranean Monk Seal) it was the UNEP/MEDU office in Athens that was supposed to shoulder responsibility for creating an information network, and for other important coordinating functions. For one reason or another, this hot potato was pitched over to the Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas in Tunis. Aside from occasional meetings, it was never heard of again.

Thirty Years Ago

My school (Marco Forester Middle School) is doing a planet Earth Day project, and my partner and I chose to do ours on monk seals. However, we need to know the status of monk seals thirty years ago because it is our school’s 30th anniversary.

John McCarty, via email

Editor’s Note: With continued killing by fishers, and mass tourism snatching once-secluded habitats, Mediterranean monk seals have suffered a precipitous decline in the last 30-50 years.

Population numbers were estimated at around 5000 individuals in 1967 (Maxwell 1967). Although that figure may have been somewhat excessive, current estimates place the surviving population of Monachus monachus at around 300-400 individuals (Brasseur et al. 1997). Given the difficulty in mounting a reliable census of this reclusive species, however, and the tendency, during the last two decades, to underestimate numbers, that particular figure may be too pessimistic.

Nevertheless, the species has also suffered a severe contraction in range. Nations and island groups where the monk seal has been extirpated during the last 30 years include Corsica, Sicily and the Tuscan archipelago, Lebanon, and most of Cyprus and Tunisia (UNEP/MAP 1994, Brasseur et al. 1997). The species is also virtually extinct now in the Marmara and Black Seas (Kiraç & Savas 1996) and the Adriatic coasts and islands of Croatia (Draganovic 1991 & 1994; Antolovic 1998). Despite sporadic sightings, the monk seal also appears to be effectively extinct in Sardinia (Johnson 1998).

As for the Hawaiian monk seal, confined to the Leeward Chain of atolls extending northwest from the main Hawaiian islands, surveys continue to show an overall decline in numbers (See The Old Woman Who Swallowed the Fly, this issue). Between 1958 and 1996, the total of mean beach counts at the main reproductive populations declined by 60% (NMFS 1997).

For further information, consult the following sources, some of which are available in back issues or in the Monachus Library…

Antolovic, Jasna. 1998. Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachus monachus) Habitat in Vis Archipelago, the Adriatic Sea. The Monachus Guardian. 1:2 December 1998

Brasseur, S.M.J.M., P.J.H. Reijnders, and G. Verriopoulos. 1997. Mediterranean Monk Seal Monachus monachus. In: P.J.H. Reijnders, G. Verriopoulos, and S.M.J.M. Brasseur, eds. Status of Pinnipeds Relevant to the European Union. IBN Scientific Contributions 8. Institute for Forestry and Nature Research (IBN-DLO), Wageningen, the Netherlands.

Draganovic, Eugen. 1991. Distribution and Legal Protection of the Monk Seal along the Eastern Adriatic Coast of Yugoslavia. pp. 32. Seminar on Conservation of the Mediterranean Monk Seal – Technical and Scientific Aspects, Antalya, Turkey, 1-4 May 1991. Council of Europe Press, Strasbourg, France. Environmental Encounters No. 13. 19 June 1991.

Draganovic, Eugen. 1994. [The Monk Seal in the Croatian Adriatic]. pp. 3, Annex IV. UNEP/MAP Meeting of Experts on the Evaluation of the Implementation of the Action Plan for the Management of the Mediterranean Monk Seal, Rabat, Morocco, 7-9 October 1994. RAC/SPA (UNEP), Tunis, UNEP(OCA)/MED WG. 87/4.

Johnson, William M. 1998. Monk Seal Myths in Sardinia. The Monachus Guardian. 1:1 May 1998.

Kiraç, Cem, and Yalçin Savas. 1996. Status of the Monk Seal (Monachus monachus) in the Neighbourhood of Eregli, Black Sea Coast of Turkey. Zoology in the Middle East. 12. pp. 5-12.

Maxwell, Gavin. 1967. Seals of the World. Constable & Co, London. pp. 140-148.

NMFS. 1997. Hawaiian Monk Seal (Monachus schauinslandi). Stock Definition and Geographic Range. Revised 1 August 1997. National Marine Fisheries Service. http://swfsc.ucsd.edu/sars/HI_Monk.htm

UNEP/MAP. 1994. Present Status and Trend of the Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachus monachus) Populations. pp. 44. UNEP/MAP Meeting of Experts on the Evaluation of the Implementation of the Action Plan for the Management of the Mediterranean Monk Seal, Rabat, Morocco, 7-9 October 1994. RAC/SPA (UNEP), Tunis, UNEP(OCA)/MED WG. 87/3.