MOFI works with fishermen to reduce monk seal entanglements and fishing gear loss. Valuable information gained regarding health of the Mediterranean Sea fish stocks.

The world’s most endangered seal lives in the Mediterranean. MOFI (MOnk Seals and FIsheries) has determined seven hotspots where monk seal-fisheries interaction is highest. The organization is working in those areas to raise awareness of monk seals and develop a plan to educate and compensate fishermen who suffer loss of or damage to fishing gear due to monk seals. Fish catch data will help with assessing fish stocks in the Greek Islands.

Monk Seals and Greek Fishermen

Families on the islands of Greece have fished for generations. Now they are losing their livelihoods. So it is no surprise that they are angry when monk seals ‘steal’ fish from their nets, damaging them in the process. Their Mediterranean diet is based largely on fish, thus the seals may be seen as taking food out of their families' mouths. In the worst cases, the fishermen take matters into their own hands, deliberately killing the monk seals.

The MOFI Project

MOFI, an EU LIFE project, was developed by MOm to help the Mediterranean monk seal by helping the local people. MOm has been working for some time in the National Marine Park of Alonnisos-Northern Sporades. These Greek islands are home to one of the two main breeding sites of the monk seal.

MOm’s presence, setting up patrols in the park, creating an education centre and a small rehabilitation facility in the area has helped to make for a more cooperative atmosphere. The fishermen know that the staff is aware of their concerns and tries to work with them. The area has recorded no intentional killings of monk seals in over ten years. But as things get worse for the fishermen, efforts need to be made to help them or that goodwill may disappear.

Some simple answers, like providing compensation for damaged fishing gear and lost catch, will go a long way to ensuring that when a monk seal gets entangled in gear he will be set free, not killed. By collecting data on catch rates and changes in fisheries in the Greek Islands, MOFI lets the fishermen know that they are being heard.

The Seven Hotspots

MOFI has identified seven hotspots-areas of intense seal-fisheries interaction

Northern Sporades

Kimolos-Polyegos Islands Complex

Kythira-Elafonissos Islands

Chios-Psarra-Inousses Islands

Karpathos Islands

Zakynthos Islands

Kalymnos Island

Analysis of data from throughout Greece identified these areas as having the highest incidence of monk seal activity and fisheries activity. By concentrating on these areas first, MOFI hopes to reduce the incidence of both outright killing of monk seals and of unreported entanglements.

Finding Out What Monk Seals Eat

MOFI is also doing analysis of stomach contents of monk seals whenever possible. This will help determine which fish are primary diet items for the seals. If, as was found with harbor seals in some parts of the world, the monk seal preys largely on non-commercial species it may help to change the view of some of the fishermen.

But even if the monk seals and fishermen are competing for the same fish, changes in timing and style of fishing may be a viable way of protecting the world’s most endangered seal without closing the fishery.

Most importantly in the long run is the overall aim of the project, which is to engage all stakeholders-fishermen, government agencies, aquaculture facilities and environmental groups- in a viable plan for management of fishing in areas of importance to the Mediterranean monk seal.