MONITORING THE MEDITERRANEAN MONK SEAL IN THE CENTRAL MEDITERRANEAN SEA

The Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus was once a common inhabitant of the Mediterranean Sea. Over time, its distribution has experienced a sharp reduction, primarily attributed to various factors stemming from human activities. Known reproductive sub-populations of the species are nowadays concentrated along the coasts of Greece and Turkey. However, occasional but recurrent sightings or movements of individuals are being recorded along most of the coasts in the species ́ former distribution range within the Mediterranean Sea. The Marine Strategy Framework Directive require the establishment of monitoring programmes to obtain indicators for the Good Environmental Status of European waters. Here we present the monitoring programmes we carried out on the Endangered Mediterranean monk seal in the central Mediterranean Sea. The output of the work carried out in the central Mediterranean Sea for such a long period of time indicates the relevance of continuous monitoring systems for the monk seal as a top predator in the area. The species may be useful as a key species within the Marine Strategy Framework Directive for Descriptors D1 (Marine Biodiversity), D4 (Food Webs) and D10 (Marine Litter).