MONKEM

Monk Seal conservation in the Eastern Mediterranean

Reduce the negative interactions between fisheries and the Mediterranean monk seal

Within the framework of the “Monk seal conservation in the Eastern Mediterranean” project and activity “R2: Reduce the negative interactions between fisheries and the Mediterranean monk seal” and “Strategy 2.1 Improve the knowledge of possible conflict areas” special focus was given on the information from monk seal stranding events and the interactions between fisheries and monk seals at the Eastern Mediterranean creating the knowledge and baseline information about the habitat distribution and hotspots of the species and evaluating fishing impact.

Among other, HCMR stranding events database, based on port authorities reports, was analysed in order to identify monk seal stranding events and possible causes of death (especially those related with fishery interaction), turn any reference to a georeferenced one, identify and map “hot spot” stranding areas.