Vol. 10 (1): June 2007

Two monk seal sightings at Serifos, Greece

I saw two monk seals around the Greek island of Serifos this week.

My activity during sightings: spear fishing (only after fish!!).

Date: 25.04.2007 (late afternoon)
Location: Vous Island, east of Serifos.
Distance to animal: about 10 – 15m.
Behaviour of the animal: swimming.

I did not see the animal clearly because of poor visibility, but after the sighting on the 27.04.2007 I am sure that it was a seal.

Date: 27.04.2007 (14:30)
Location: Southeastern part of Serifos.
Distance to animal: about 0.5 m+.
Behaviour of the animal: 1. unknown activity in cave; 2. swimming.

I had just shot a Sargos [White sea bream Diplodus sargus sargus] 3 m into a very deep cave, at that moment wondering why it did not swim deeper into the cave (depth underwater 2-3 m; depth of cave at least 5-6m+. I also wonder if parts of the cave might have an air pocket?). Then I heard a strange noise, and seconds after a grey monk seal swam out of the cave very close to me (minimum distance 0.5 m) – a breath-taking experience!! Afterwards, at the entrance to the cave I noted a large number of fish bones and both heads and tails of not fully consumed fish (1 mackerel tail, and 1 large Sargos head).

I am curious: are monk seal known to be aggressive?

If needed I would be happy to direct researchers to the exact location of the cave (I live in the Piraeus, Greece).

– Bjoern Lovén, Underwater Archaeologist, Piraeus, Greece, 6 May 2007.

Vangelis Paravas, researcher at MOm (Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk Seal, replies:

I would like to thank you for your interest in monk seals, and for the accurate and detailed information you have sent about the recent Mediterranean monk seal sightings at Serifos island.

Here is some information about the monk seal population in the southwestern Aegean islands, (Serifos, Sifnos, Kimolos-Polyaigos and Milos). The southwestern Aegean hosts one of the most important Mediterranean monk seal populations in Greece. Especially the island complex of Kimolos and Polyaigos, which is also part of the Natura 2000 network, and has been proposed by our Society as a National Marine Park for the protection of the species. In the latter islands MOm has been carrying out research and conservation activities for the past 7 years.

I would also like to inform you about the Rescue and Information Network for monk seals (RINT), which is a nationwide project established by MOm in 1991, consisting of a contact network of more than 1,500 persons or local authorities in coastal Greece. In the context of RINT, MOm is collecting detailed monk seal sighting information at a national level. We are especially interested in sightings of stranded adults or pups that might be injured or orphaned. In such cases we provide first aid help or rehabilitation either on site, or in the monk seal rehabilitation centre on Alonnisos, in the Northern Sporades. In case you observe more monk seals we would like you to contact us directly, either by telephone (2105222888), or by e-mail at . You can also find additional details and information on MOm’s web site at http://www.mom.gr

Some more information on the monk seal – human interactions. Despite the protected status of Mediterranean monk seals in Greece (they are protected by law), there are still incidents of animals deliberately killed (mostly shot) by humans, mostly because of competition in fisheries-related activities. Monk seals are in general not aggressive. In cases where the animals become aware of human presence their response is to stay out of human sight or, if in the sea, stay alert and wait for the human intrusion to disappear. Only pups, or very young individuals behave more curiously towards people. In any case, monk seals are wild animals, and their behaviour is quite difficult to predict; each individual has its own character, so standard responses are unlikely. During the pupping season (mid August to end of November) female monk seals that have given birth to pups spend a lot of time in cave shelters with their pups, lactating and taking care of them. During this season monk seals shouldn’t be disturbed or startled by human presence or activities; otherwise they could become aggressive, or even flee, abandoning the pup.

Hawaiian sightings

	Monk seal loafing on Brenneke beach, Kauai.

I just got back from a weeklong stay in the town of Poipu on the south side of Kauai.

Yesterday at around 8:00 AM five Hawaiian Monk Seals were playing and feeding off the coast. A few minutes later they marched up on to Brenneke beach to take a long nap.

This one dug her nose into the sand, but I have no idea why. A few moments later she rolled on her side and went to sleep.

When last I checked three of them were still sleeping on the beach twelve hours later.

I thought some of you might enjoy the pics and the story.

– Robert Corrington, USA, 5 April 2007.

The Isle of Alboran, Spain

Has anyone been to Alboran island in Spain, as it would appear that at one time there was a small population, but perhaps it has died out.

– Stephen Hammerton, Gibraltar, 28 November 2006.

Dr. Mariano Paracuellos, science advisor of the Indalo de Oz (Almería – Spain) replies:

Indeed, I think there are good indications that for years there may have been more or less frequent sightings of M. monachus at Alboran island, which again might point towards a constant presence of the species on the island, at least for some moments in the past (perhaps in the 19th century, or, at the most, the beginnings of the 20th), as described in the book, Historia Natural de la Isla de Alborán but at the moment the only thing that there is are very sporadic and occasional sightings of solitary animals. Therefore, there doesn’t exist any stable seal population on the island right now, albeit some can be detected accidentally and erratically. [Editor’s note: For readers of Spanish, Historia Natural de la Isla de Alborán is available online. Chapter V: pages 76-77 discusses the historical presence of the monk seal on the island.]

Thanks, also, to Jesús Contreras of Indalo de Oz for providing information on this issue.

The editor reserves the right to edit letters for the sake of clarity and space

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