Art kids

Croatia’s Mediterranean Monk Seal Group (Grupa Sredozemna Medvjedica) broadcast the conservation message far and wide during the Christmas period, distributing greeting cards that reflect the concern of children for the survival of the species. The striking and imaginative drawings were made during an art workshop for children aged 3-10 years, organized by the MMS Group to coincide with UN World Environment Day on 5th June 2000.

Several similar workshops were held as part of the Group’s Education and Monitoring of the Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachus monachus) project that was funded by the Croatian Ministry of Environment. – Jasna Antolovic, MMS Group.

Ten years and counting…

MOm, increasingly vexed by government foot-dragging over the administration of the National Marine Park of Alonissos-Northern Sporades (NMPANS) [see MOm scolds government inaction, TMG 3(2): November 2000], took the opportunity of submitting its own management proposals during a presentation to key officials of the Ministry of the Environment on 25 January 2001.

Although the NMPANS is regarded as harbouring the most significant surviving Monachus monachus population within the Mediterranean, MOm complains that – even though 10 years have elapsed since the establishment of the Park – the State has done little to fulfil its obligations in setting up the area’s official management body.

According to MOm’s proposal:

• The NMPANS Management Body (MB), established in accordance with National Law 2742/99 (which defines the legal framework of such institutions) should be based on the island of Alonissos.
• The MB’s Managing Committee should be composed of 9 members with knowledge of and experience in the protection and management of the natural environment. The Managing Committee should include representation from the following central and local government sectors, and organizations: The Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Merchant Marine, the District of Thessaly, the Prefecture of Magnesia, the Municipality of Alonissos, and MOm.
• A Scientific Advisory Committee (provided for in National Law 2742/99) should be established since the MB will often have to take decisions on specialised issues. It should be composed of teaching and scientific staff drawn from institutions of higher learning and research centres, as well as specialists distinguished for their work in relevant fields both in Greece and abroad.
• An estimated 16 persons are required to manage the Park on a day-to-day basis: a Managing Director, scientists specialised in the fields of biology, zoology and other relevant environmental sciences, environmental education specialists, guards, administrative support personnel and emergency/auxiliary personnel.
• While the MB should be partly self-financing – through the provision of services such as guided tours, the production and sale of merchandise etc. – state aid will be indispensable to the efficient management and operation of the Park.

The creation of the NMPANS Management Body was a key objective of a Ministry of Environment programme in 1996, that was supposed to have a duration of 14 months. Today, however, in spring 2001, the required procedures have still not been completed, and local people are inevitably beginning to lose their faith. During MOm’s presentation to the Environment Ministry, both the minister and deputy minister voiced their commitment to completing the legal process that would finally confer upon the NMPANS a functioning management authority. The deputy minister was even heard to say that the creation of the Management Body is expected within 2001. MOm echoes the views of many in saying: “We are all waiting.” – Vrassidas Zavras, MOm.


Guarding continues in the Sporades

Following emergency financial aid by its long-time supporter, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, MOm has been able to continue vital guarding activities in the NMPANS.

Greece’s first Marine Park was established in 1992 and MOm has played an instrumental role not only in its planning and founding, but also in its organisation and operation. It has been involved in guarding activities in the area since 1990.

Its aims in the Park are to:

• Assist the authorities in implementing the NMPANS regulations.
• Safeguard the Park against violators, in collaboration with the Port Police.
• Monitor human activities.
• Spread the conservation message among visitors…

Taking into account that the NMPANS covers an area of about 2200 km2 and has a periphery of 180 km (with a 70 km2 core zone, where no human activity is permitted), the guarding project’s operational plan is based on:

• Experienced, locally-recruited personnel, with sound knowledge of the area.
• The use of the patrol boat Alonissos, a 9 m fibreglass speed-boat that can reach a maximum speed of 25 knots and is equipped for both day and night operations.
• The collaboration of the Port Police authorities, responsible for taking the necessary legal action against violators.

The crew performs daily patrols throughout the NMPANS and is ready to respond to any report of a violation on a 24 hour basis. When sworn statements against violators are obtained, the team follows up the required legal procedures in court. In cases not involving illegal activities, the team approaches the boats and informs their crews about the regulations of the NMPANS.

There have been several notable achievements during the project’s eight years of operation:

• Overfishing, caused by purse-seiners and trawlers, has decreased. The halting of these destructive practices directly supports the local, traditional coastal fisheries and conserves the fish stocks in the area. Other illegal activities (dynamite, night speargun fishing, etc.) have also decreased significantly.
• Deliberate killing of monk seals has not been recorded within the NMPANS since the launch of the guarding project in 1990. Furthermore, the NMPANS’ critical Core Zone has been strictly protected by controlling boat traffic. Research has shown that a high percentage of the population breeds within this zone and that seal observations on open beaches have increased.
• The continuous effort to inform the public has contributed to a greater awareness and respect of the Park regulations, while the punishment of violators continues to act as a deterrent against future violations.
• MOm’s guarding data recording system allows adjustment of the guarding effort to suit varying conditions, such as increasing guarding patrols during the summer, which coincides with the monk seal breeding season. This database provides essential baseline information for the effective management of the Park. – Eleni Tounta, MOm.

Record births in the NMPANS

During the winter pupping season, the crew of MOm’s research vessel IFAW-Odyssia recorded twelve new seal births within the Northern Sporades Marine Park (NMPANS) area, the highest annual recording to date. The behaviour of the newborn seals was closely monitored during four follow-up visits. The health and progress of the pups has been generally encouraging and many of the newborn seals have already shed their first woolly coats (lanugo). Sadly, two of the newborn seals did not manage to survive. The first, a two-month old female seal, was sighted on the island of Piperi on 4 December 2000 and was found to be undernourished, dehydrated, hypothermic and displaying passive behaviour. Mom’s Rescue Team provided it with on-the-spot first aid, mainly to deal with its dehydration. The seal’s condition, however, proved irreversible and after 8 hours it died. The following day the dead animal was transferred to the Medical School of Erasmus University in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, where an autopsy was performed by Dr. Thijs Keuiken and E. Androukaki, head of the MOm Rehabilitation Unit. According to the results of the autopsy, the main cause of death was malnutrition. Pneumonia was also diagnosed, apparently induced by the inhalation of water during the seal’s passive behaviour. There was no sign of any virus infection that might have endangered the remaining seal population of the Northern Sporades. The second dead seal, a male of the same age, was found in a state of decomposition on 10/12/2000 in the same area. Mom’s Rescue Team diagnosed malnutrition as the most likely cause of death. According to the Scientific Coordinator of Mom, Dr. Spyros Kotomatas, these incidents, though distressing, should not be viewed with undue concern since they fall within the anticipated percentage of natural mortality. – Panos Dendrinos, MOm.


Injured seal found in Evia

An injured seal was found on the coastline of northeastern Evia in early November 2000 after completing a 27-mile journey in 48 hours. Mom’s Rescue team closely monitored the large male seal for several days and was able to verify its otherwise healthy nutritional condition. It exhibited lively behaviour and, after a short break to rest, it continued on its journey. An ugly injury to its left eye, most likely caused by human violence, had resulted in the partial loss of the seal’s eyesight. The MOm Rescue team remained on a heightened state of alert, ready to administer antibiotic injections in case of serious infection to the wound. – Jeny Androukaki, MOm.


Aqueduct seal needs to relocate

A monk seal sighted in a rainfall aqueduct in the busy harbour of Skiathos returned to its natural habitat in healthy condition on 13 December. MOm’s Rescue team arrived on the island after being alerted by the local municipal authorities. The adult male’s physical and nutritional condition were judged satisfactory. Superficial wounds on its flippers were most probably the result of rivalry with other males – a common phenomenon among Mediterranean seals. The Rescue team, working with the local authorities, temporarily covered holes admitting light to the aqueduct – a possible source of anxiety and distraction for the seal – and then successfully encouraged the animal to return to the sea. Onlookers were asked to keep their distance during the rescue operation to avoid additional distress to the frightened animal. Following its departure from the harbour, municipal authorities placed netting across the entrance of the pipeline to discourage the seal from returning. – Jeny Androukaki, MOm.


Heavy metal threat not established in the Aegean

A recently completed postgraduate thesis has concluded that heavy metal contamination of monk seals in Greece is generally low compared to that found in other seal species. The author, Aggeliki Dosi, a MOm volunteer since 1993, analysed tissue samples held in the organisation’s Specimens Bank, collected in the Aegean during 1994-1999. Samples were tested for the presence and concentration of 14 heavy metals – toxic substances that in certain accumulations can have severe impacts on breeding as well as on overall health. The results of the study, however, suggest that concentrations may be too low in the Aegean to adversely affect resident monk seal populations – most of which have only managed to survive far away from urban industrial centres.

The thesis, entitled “Heavy metals in the skin and fat of the Mediterranean seals Monachus monachus in Greece” formed part of Dosi’s postgraduate studies at the School of Marine Sciences in Bangor, Wales. The study was the first of its kind involving the Mediterranean monk seal. Aggeliki Dosi joined MOm’s research team on a full-time basis in October. – Spyros Kotomatas, MOm.


Sea Alarm to prepare for oil spill

A meeting entitled “Sea Alarm” took place in Pieterburen, the Netherlands on 4-5 November 2000. Its aim: to create a European network of organizations involved in the rehabilitation of wild animals, that can take timely and effective action to counter marine environmental catastrophes caused by oil spills.

Representatives of the Seal Rehabilitation & Research Centre (SRRC), the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), MOm and other national and local European organizations appointed an Action Group to pursue detailed planning of the initiative. At a subsequent meeting in Brussels in March 2001, the Action Group proceeded to define the operational framework and logistics of the Sea Alarm network. Activities for the remainder of the year include the listing of stockpiled clean-up equipment available in Europe, establishing lines of communication with specialists and government departments responsible for countering incidents of marine pollution, the organization of “hands on” training seminars, and the formulation of a European Action Plan.

Members of the Action Group were also asked to nominate other candidate rehabilitation centres from their own countries, in order to encompass the greatest range of marine fauna possible. These centres should be capable of acting either individually at a local level or in concert with Sea Alarm in the case of serious emergencies. – Jeny Androukaki, MOm.


Media blitz

A new promotional campaign was launched by MOm in November 2000, targeting the print and broadcast media. The campaign was made possible by newspapers, magazines, TV and radio stations donating advertising space and air time. Thanks to Diners Club, which included a MOm flyer in its regular mail shot, the message reached an even wider audience. The prominent advertising agency Adel Saatchi & Saatchi designed MOm’s live broadcast message and also provided other valuable insights and advice.

The campaign employed three separate slogans in its approach:

• “Ten important deaths never mentioned in the news reports: during the past year, 10 seals from the 350 remaining survivors were found dead on Greek coasts.”
• “To be or not to be? Define your position.”
• “May they live long! Six young seals found on Greek coasts were rescued and managed to survive.”

By the new year, eight television channels were broadcasting, as a gratis public service, MOm’s monk seal conservation message to the public. – Maria Dimitropoulou, MOm.


Endemic sea lion discovered

The discovery of a new pinniped species was announced on a Greek Internet site recently. Kefalonia Links, Adventure and Information describes the existence of the Ionian island’s very own “Kefalonian Sea Lion”. Rather more confusing is the site’s insistence on christening the exotic otarid Monachus monachus. Readers may also find it puzzling that the repository of all knowledge relating to the new species is none other than www.monachus.org.

Virtual Marine Park