Translocation plans: reasons for caution
The sudden appearance this summer of a solitary monk seal in the island of Mallorca (Spain), after decades without any reliable record, can be considered almost a ‘miracle’ event in favour of the regional Government's plan to translocate animals here, since it seems to prove that our island still provides suitable conditions for the survival of at least some individuals of this highly endangered species.
On the other hand, the seal’s unexpected appearance also represented a challenge to the authors of that plan, because in some ways it provided the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to manage the presence of the species in our territory (monitoring its movements, taking special measures to minimize the risk of disturbance from tourists and leisure craft, or interaction with fishermen and fishing gear, etc.).
However, the fact that this individual settled for a period in an area that is surrounded by heavily built-up stretches of coast does not prove, in my opinion, that this part of Mallorca is still suitable for a viable population of seals to thrive. If my information is correct, the seal has not been seen (despite an intense search) for a couple of months now, and no one knows its fate (nor from where it originated, although as to the latter I dare say that it was probably from the very endangered Algerian monk seal population, just 250 km south of Mallorca).
In some ways, the arrival of this seal in Mallorca also confirmed something that has been stated by several people, including myself: that the return of the monk seal to our territory by natural means, from Northern Africa, could not be totally discounted, and is much preferable to an artificial translocation.
As an inhabitant of Mallorca, and someone who has been working for the protection of the monk seal since I was a teenager, it goes without saying how happy I would be to see monk seals re-established around the island where I live. However, it is my opinion that, at least under present conditions, and most probably in the short and medium term, a plan to artificially reintroduce the species in this or any other area should not be dealt with as a priority. Rather, priority should be given to efforts to preserve all naturally surviving populations, especially since this survival constitutes the main proof that these areas are really suitable for the species.
Patrol boats moored at the National Park of Cabrera.
As to the Cabrera National Park (protecting a small archipelago and its surrounding waters, south of Mallorca), which has been pointed to as the ideal recipient site for the translocation plan, I think there is little doubt that it does preserve one of the best potential habitats for the monk seal in European waters (probably only Greece has better areas, with the important difference that seals still live there). But the regulation of traditional fisheries within the boundaries of the National Park is far from ideal as far as establishing a monk seal population is concerned, and unfortunately it seems that creating better conditions for the return of the monk seal is not presently a priority for the Cabrera Park’s administrators. Changing this situation is, in my opinion, the first step to be taken by the Government of the Balearic islands, prior to even talking about any translocation plan.
Another essential point for discussion is whether a translocation of monk seal individuals from the Saharan colony in the Atlantic Ocean to any place in the Mediterranean could be scientifically justified – and not only because it would be irresponsible to embark upon an experiment of uncertain success with one of the few populations that have long-term chances of survival.
In the translocation plan of the Balearic Government there is an assumption that, to my mind, is completely flawed. It is their argument that, as no biometric data has been found to support the existence of any morphological difference between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean populations of the monk seal, then there can be no significant differences between them, and they can therefore be translocated and mixed freely. Some even believe that this mixing would be a wise idea, in order to prevent possible inbreeding depression.
But this neglects an important part of what adaptation means in the evolution of organisms: it may be that both populations are morphologically uniform, but at the same time show significant differences in their genomes that are the result of their selective adaptation to completely different environmental conditions (local prey, presence/absence of significant tides, average water temperatures, etc.). Reducing all adaptation analysis to biometry is in my view a very incomplete approach.
But the main objection to such a translocation plan remains the inherent vulnerability of the intended donor colony in Western Sahara/Mauritania. While this population has made a slow but steady recovery since the catastrophic 1997 die-off (thanks mainly to the excellent protection plan designed by Luis M. Gonzalez, Pablo Fernandez and their CBD-Habitat Foundation, together with a group of local Mauritanian colleagues), it is still far from reaching the carrying capacity of the local habitat. I see no justification at all, therefore, for using this colony as the source of any individuals in any translocation plan (and even less to the Mediterranean area).
– Xisco Avella, Fondo para la Foca del Mediterraneo (FFM), Mallorca, Spain, 5 November 2008.
Mallorca sighting
Hello, I write to you from the island of Mallorca. I found the Monachus Guardian site this summer, while looking for information about the monk seal after the sighting of one in Mallorca.
This is a great web site and I hope you can continue with this great work.
By the way, do you know if there was ever any more news about that Mallorca monk seal?
Thanks and bye for now,
– Toni Vecina, Mallorca, Spain
 Editor’s note: As it happens, we are publishing a number of reports from Mallorca this issue, including our Guest Editorial by Miquel À. Grimalt i Vert, Minister of Environment of the Government of the Balearic Islands; a feature article on summer 2008’s reappearance of the monk seal in Mallorca and, of course, the letter above by respected monk seal conservationist Xisco Avella.
Petition plea for threatened coasts of Corsica
Dear friends of the monk seal,
The Scandola nature reserve in Corsica.
First let me thank all of you for your efforts! I hope that someday I can join your work in this noble cause.
I’ve always been interested in Mediterranean wildlife. I could discuss for hours with my Dad about the rare sea turtles he spotted around the island of Corsica some 20 years ago. When I was sixteen my Dad offered me my first harpoon, but more importantly taught me the respect for life that should always go with it.
When I first read about the presence of the monk seal in Corsica I felt a strong relationship between this animal and me. The Mediterranean Sea is my environment, and even though I currently study biology in Switzerland, the island of Corsica is the place where I feel at home. There sometimes I spend up to 9 hours a day in the water to catch my dinner. These last years, though, leisure activity increases more and more. This year I was almost hit three times by a boat! Jet skis and overpowered boats race the areas, which were once quiet fishing paradises (even though Corsica still remains well preserved compared to other islands of the Mediterranean).
This reminds me of the fate of our friend Monachus monachus. The last one in Corsica was killed in 1970 in Scandola, which unfortunately became a protected area only 5 years later.
I am greatly interested in the projects to protect the monk seal in the remaining areas of its geographical distribution, because I have great hopes that it will someday recolonise the coast of Corsica, especially the nature reserve of Scandola.
In my opinion protected areas should be enlarged and strict regulations established, especially against leisure activities. These biological reservoirs should cover large marine areas and include large areas on land. Fishing or hunting should be entirely prohibited in these areas of course, but also diving, or boat traffic of any kind. Furthermore, access on land should also be limited. These areas would be of great benefit to a local sustainable fishing industry. To my knowledge very successful projects of this kind have been established off the coast of New Zealand.
In Scandola for instance, even though the regulations are very strict compared to other places, there is still too much access for leisure activities. For instance, dropping anchor is only forbidden in a tiny subpart of the reserve.
As a consequence, the abundant natural caves are visited by tourists, and lose their potential to host monk seals.
In my opinion it would be more efficient to totally forbid access. Protected areas could fulfil their role as reservoirs more efficiently and “ecotourism” could then take place in neighbouring parts of the reserve.
Corsica is the fourth largest island of the Mediterranean and in my opinion it is a good candidate for recolonisation by the monk seal in the future, because most of its coasts have been spared from mass development (contrary for instance to the heavily built-up coasts of Spain), thanks to the ‘loi littoral’, the French coastal development law. Some plans exist to extend the reserve of Scandola and create four new ones (see “Corse Matin” 11 August, 2008).
However, a new threat to the coasts of Corsica has emerged with the ‘PADDUC’ – a plan to enhance mass tourism by converting protected areas into constructible areas. Golf resorts and tourist complexes and even a motorway are planned.
Inhabitants of the island feel cheated, because they have the feeling that this plan, which bets on a non-sustainable development, is of no benefit to them. Ironically the letters DD of the abbreviation PADDUC actually stand for ‘Développement Durable’ (sustainable development in French)!
Such a plan would, of course, have an strong if indirect negative impact on areas such as Scandola, remaining under protection.
It is without doubt that the efficiency of reserves is intrinsically linked to the preservation of neighbouring coasts.
Friends of the monk seal, I ask you to sign the online petition against the PADDUC (it is in French, but please ask if you need any translation), and also to discuss among your friends and colleagues the ecological threats it poses to the coasts of Corsica: a possible future home of this endangered marine mammal.
– Thomas d’Eysmond, PhD student in biotechnology and bioengineering, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland, 26 October 2008.
Sad day in the NMPANS
We are sailing in the northwestern Aegean (Northern Sporades). In the bay of Klima on the island of Peristera we discovered a dead monk seal. It drifted with the current into the bay and most likely remained stuck there on the rocks. The animal was about 3 meters long. On the continuation of our trip we encountered no living monk seals, which made us feel quite apprehensive.
We thought that this sad information may interest you.
– Thomy & Daniela Wyss, 21 June 2008.
Editor’s note: TMG immediately alerted MOm (Hellenic Society for the Study & Protection of the Monk Seal), whose Rescue Team responds to strandings of both live and dead animals. Receiving an update from MOm a few days later, we were able to provide the Wyss’ with the following information:
Greek experts examined yesterday the dead seal you found. It is a male of advanced age. No signs of violence or of an accident could be found, so it is probable that the animal died of natural causes.
In Greece, all dead monk seals are, if possible, scientifically examined. Sightings information on both live and dead animals is also systematically collected, and MOm appreciates efforts by members of the public to report such incidents to them.
That you haven’t seen a live monk seal might seem understandably regrettable from your point of view, but it is normal – not only because the animals are rare, but also because they live very discreetly and can hide very well.
In a follow-up email, the Wyss’ stated:
Thank you for the information and the message that the dead seal has already been found and examined. We are pleased that there is an association looking after the seals. It is good that the seals also have “friends” among people, which act for their rights and needs.
We think, though, that it is not sufficient to declare a marine region [the Northern Sporades Marine Park] a nature protection area and still allow private boat traffic there. In no other area have we encountered so many private and chartered boats as in this marine nature reserve of the Sporades. For sure, there are many considerate boatmen, but in a mass these must act as a negative influence on the small population of monk seals, especially those among them who move recklessly in the world of animals and plants. Unfortunately, we are also painfully aware of the mountain of waste on the beach of Klima bay; other beaches on other islands were cleaner, probably cleaned.
– Thomy & Daniela Wyss, 30 June 2008
A spate of sightings in Cyprus
Whilst sailing off the Akrotiri peninsula (Limassol, Cyprus) yesterday noontime (15th June), we spotted a seal twice in the waters about 200 metres off the coastline.
It was a silvery grey colour, and a guesstimate puts it at between 1.5 to 2 metres long.
We have never heard of any sightings in Cyprus, hence my search on the web and how I came across your site.
I thought you might be interest to know about it.
– Vivian Nagel, Limassol, Cyprus, 18 June 2008
Editor’s reply: Many thanks for your reported sighting. These are always useful for field researchers and conservationists, and we have passed your observation record on to the relevant authorities in Cyprus. By coincidence, in our June issue we published reports of two other sightings around Cyprus in the Letters page of our journal. We hope to provide an updated Cyprus monk seal status report in the not-too-distant future. In the meantime:
Further information on the last seals of Cyprus
RAC/SPA. 2005. Information report on the status of the monk seal in the Mediterranean. Seventh Meeting of National Focal Points for SPAs, Seville, 31 May - 3 June 2005. UNEP/MAP, UNEP(DEC)/MED WG.268/Inf.3: 1-45. [PDF  213KB]
The editor reserves the right to edit letters for the sake of clarity and space
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