IFAW Supports the Mediterranean Monk Seal

Mauritania and Morocco, 2005
The scientific team of IFAW’s research vessel Song of the Whale collaborated with CBD-Habitat (Spain), INRH (Moroccan Institut National de Recherche Halieutique) and Nature Initiative (Dakhla) by providing a research platform from which to survey monk seals and their habitat in remote and unresearched areas of the Mauritanian/Moroccan coastline.

Turkey, 2007
Two years later, the Song of the Whale provided a similar facility for a survey in Turkey by SAD/AFAG, the Turkish NGO to investigate the presence and habitat of monk seals, in part of the coastline never previously surveyed. Of 25-30 monk seal caves investigated, four had signs of monk seal presence, and two adult male monk seals were observed.

Researching low density populations:

Mauritania and Morocco, 1980s
IFAW financed a research trip, which led to the rediscovery of a monk-seal colony along the coastline of the Mauritanian peninsula Cap Blanc and to the north along the Morocco-Polisario coastline. As a result, the Mauritanian government established a nature reserve in the area in April 1986.

Albania and Morocco, 2005
Funded by the government of Monaco, IFAW coordinated two monk seal sighting surveys with fishermen. This research showed that monk seals were present in the study areas, part of the Albanian coast and a previously un-surveyed part of the Mediterranean coast in Morocco.

Funding protected areas:

Madeira, 1985
IFAW donated a grant to support the Desertas Islands reserve. The area was closed for 5 years in order to give the monk seal an opportunity to recover. IFAW financed an information station on monk seals. As a result, the colony recovered and now counts some 30 individuals.

Greece, 1990 – 2003
IFAW provided grants to MOm, which covered the operational and guarding costs of the National Marine Park of Alonnisos, Northern Sporades (NMPANS).

Coordinating monk seal protection:

1995
Mediterranean Monk Seal Conservation Guidelines were developed by Johnson and Lavigne and financed by IFAW.

North West African coast, 1997
IFAW contributed to a workshop on the mass mortality of Mediterranean monk seals on the Western Atlantic coast.

Antalya, Turkey, 2006
An International Conference on Mediterranean monk seal conservation, initiated by IFAW, was co-organized by IFAW and RAC/SPA (Regional Activity Center on Specially Protected Areas) and co-sponsored by CMS (Convention on Migratory Species) and the government of Monaco.