By Sofia Bonicalza and Emanuele Coppola. Sofia is biologist and scientific responsible for the Gruppo Foca Monaca, an association that has been involved in the study and protection of the Mediterranean monk seal for over 40 years. Emanuele is director and wildlife filmmaker, president of the Gruppo Foca Monaca.
The Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) is one of the most symbolic and charismatic species of the Mare Nostrum, yet also one of the most fragile. Even described in the Odyssey, it is one of the rarest marine mammals in the world and the only pinniped resident in the Mediterranean Sea. This animal represents an invaluable evolutionary and cultural heritage and is therefore at the top of the list of species of great international interest.
After decades of relentless decline, we are now witnessing an extraordinary and encouraging recovery on a global scale. However, in some Mediterranean countries, the absence of data hinders conservation efforts.
The monk seal is a marine mammal beautifully adapted to the aquatic environment, where it spends most of its life. Yet, like other pinnipeds, it has maintained an indissoluble bond with the terrestrial environment because it absolutely needs to find a space out of the water to give birth and nurse its pup. Additionally, every year seals need to molt their fur, and for this, they seek a place on land to rest in a sort of semi-hibernation. Animals have been observed sleeping deeply for up to three days and nights in a row. For centuries, this was when seals were most easily killed for their skins and fat, pushing them to the brink of complete extinction. Although today it is a species protected at the international level, it is still very important to manage individual behavior correctly. It is not uncommon for some well-meaning but misguided individuals to think it useful to approach and even pet animals that seem to be in trouble, as they are judged to be unresponsive and lacking vitality. It is crucial to understand, however, that unlike dolphins or even fish and jellyfish, which should never be found on land, seals have the right to stay on land as long as necessary to regain their full vital functions and return to the sea, without any disturbance from humans.
The Gruppo Foca Monaca APS has been engaged in communication activities for many years, and in 2021, the association launched an ambitious project called “Care4Seals,” with the aim of urgently filling knowledge gaps and laying the foundations for peaceful coexistence between humans and seals. The project uses a multidisciplinary approach, integrating research, education, and the involvement of coastal communities and ordinary people, as well as organizations and institutions.
years (2003 – April 2020), 47 monk seal sightings were
recorded in Lebanon between Beirut and Tripoli.
The research activities of the project include the validation of sightings, monitoring through environmental DNA (e_DNA) in collaboration with the “Spot The Monk” campaign led by Dr. Elena Valsecchi (University of Bicocca, Milan), and social surveys on learning outcomes and people’s perceptions, such as the new campaign mentioned in the box below, promoted in collaboration with the CNR.
The educational component of the project is extensive, involving families with children, high school and university students, and offering learning experiences both in the classroom and in the field. Our seminars, held in-person or online, provide updates on the biology and distribution of the monk seal, proper behavior in case of an encounter, and the most relevant findings from our research. Finally, during the summer courses, participants learn about monk seal biology and monitoring techniques, developing a strong connection with the sea through relaxation and freediving techniques.
The campaign is expanding, and from 2024 it will also involve over 30 organizations, including the Carabinieri Forestali, the Coast Guard, and the managing bodies of Marine Protected Areas. Hundreds of people have already been trained and have expressed their willingness to contribute to data collection, forming the largest monitoring network for this species in Italy, in a significant collective effort driven by growing awareness. Among those involved are individuals who frequent the sea daily, such as the new generations of artisanal fishermen, tourism operators, and enthusiasts of water sports and diving.
The project won the first prize in Terre de Femmes Italia in 2022 and is now co-financed by several important institutions such as WWF Italia, the Genoa Aquarium Foundation, and the American philanthropic sports organization “11th Hour Racing.” This support has enabled the involvement of many young researchers from Italian and foreign universities, including the University of Milan Bicocca, the University of Edinburgh, and many others that have already expressed interest in this exciting adventure.
The hope is that the project represents a solid collective effort capable of fostering the stable return of the monk seal in Italy and other Mediterranean countries. Prevention is better than cure, even in biodiversity conservation. Therefore, we must be ready and prepared to welcome this species back and support its continued presence. So, do you want to be spectators or protagonists of this unexpected return?
Sofia Bonicalza is biologist and scientific responsible for the Gruppo Foca Monaca. Emanuele Coppola is director and wildlife filmmaker, president of the Gruppo Foca Monaca;
The Gruppo Foca Monaca is an association that has been involved in the study and protection of the Mediterranean monk seal for over 40 years.
You Are Invited to Engage in
The Social Perception Survey
For the first time in Italy, the Gruppo Foca Monaca APS, in collaboration with the Institute for Terrestrial Ecosystem Research of the National Research Council (CNR), is launching a survey on the social perception of the presence of the monk seal in the Mediterranean. This research project, designed by Dr. Alessandro Lagrotteria with the collaboration of Dr. Emiliano Mori, will also be extended to all Mediterranean countries through the involvement of foreign organizations that have been actively collaborating with the Gruppo Foca Monaca for some time.
In this context, a new collaboration with SPNL | Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon is also included, which involves both training courses for the Association’s staff and communication initiatives to be promoted in the main national media.
We invite all our readers to involve as many people as possible in this initiative, including friends and family. The online questionnaire is very engaging, and between questions—answered with complete honesty, as confidentiality and anonymity are guaranteed—participants can immediately see the answers and obtain useful information about these charming and fascinating animals. Simply connect using the link provided below:
https://forms.gle/jPBVcf3JXhcb8BjC8
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