Endangered Mediterranean Monk Seal
Conservation on the Atlantic Coast of Africa
Aiding local people leads to protection of the critically endangered Mediterranean monk seal on the Saharan coast of Africa. Red tide caused loss of many monk seals.
The Saharan coast of Africa is home to one of the most endangered marine mammals in the world. The Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) lives in caves carved into coastal cliffs by the pounding Atlantic waves of the Cabo Blanco region. There are only 300-500 of these ancient seals (earliest remains date back 15 million years) left worldwide, making them critically endangered. And nearly one-third of that population lives in this one place.
Red Tide Linked to Loss of 2/3 of African Monk Seal Colony
In 1997 approximately two-thirds of the Cabo Blanco monk seal colony was lost. Although the remote location and decayed condition of most carcasses made definitive answers impossible, a red tide or Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) remains the most likely cause. HABs are natural occurrences. However increases in the numbers of these events have been linked to pollution, especially nitrogenous waste discharges.
Conflict with Humans
When monk seals leave the caves to feed they often come into conflict with the inhabitants of Nouadhibou, the second largest city in Mauritania, a mere 20 kilometers away. Mauritania is one of the poorest of African countries. Fishermen setting nets outside the caves inadvertently entangle seals as they compete for fish.
The Spanish NGO CBD-Habitat has a multifaceted program to monitor this population and address key conflicts between human needs and preventing the extinction of these marine mammals. They have remote video cameras in the caves to track births and monitor pups until independence. When storms lash the coast they can tell when seal pups have been washed out of the caves, and initiate beach searches if needed. Photo identification records are kept of animals seen during regular observation from the cliffs. They have surveyed much of the rest of the Atlantic coast north to the Mediterranean, hoping to find other colonies and caves that are suitable for monk seals. These sites can then be prioritized for protection and monitoring.
Helping Fishermen Helps the Seals
CBD-Habitat has also trained fishermen in boat maintenance and safety so fewer fishermen are lost at sea. They have built a cold storage unit at the fish market and given fish handling courses. Fewer fish are wasted and boats are less likely to break down, especially near the critical nursery caves area. School children in the area benefit from classes on local natural history, notebooks and pencils, all adding to the monk seal conservation message.
The long term goal is to create a marine protected habitat to ensure food for both the seals and humans, and a safe haven for this fascinating creature .
Learn more about Seals and Sea Lions:
Hooker's Sea Lions in New Zealand
Northern Elephant Seals in the US
