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Important news for the past year:
Finally, a completed National Action Plan for the protection of the Mediterranean Monk Seal in Greece

Proper international practice for the effective protection of rare and endangered species, such as the Mediterranean seal, requires the existence and faithful implementation of national action plans. After years of relevant proposals by MOm and other agencies to the Greek state, the Ministry of Environment of the country has completed the relevant process and now has in its hands a complete six-year Action Plan for the protection of the species at the national level. The Plan, drafted in 2021 by a team of MOm experts, has been accepted by the relevant committees of the Ministry and is ready to be institutionalized in the near future. It now remains to be seen whether the Greek state will be able to implement it in the coming years.

The sad news of the past year

And of course it cannot be other than the killing of "Costis" last summer by human hand. Unfortunately, once again, it has been proven that human wickedness and stupidity has no limits! The animal, as it turned out, was hit with a spear gun carrying a large-calibre harpoon for this very purpose! The incident deeply saddened and caused outrage not only to the people of MOm but also to all the concerned residents and visitors of Alonissos who were lucky enough to admire "Costis". MOm proceeded to file a lawsuit against all those responsible and with the sponsorship of sensitized organizations and citizens offered a monetary reward of 22,000 euros to anyone who provided relevant information to the competent authorities that would lead to the arrest of those responsible. Unfortunately, the culprit was not identified. But if anything positive came out of this sad story, it is the fact that the public outcry was impressive. We received thousands of indignant messages from all over Greece and abroad and it was clear that the vast majority of our society now unequivocally condemns such acts and puts any few fools on the social margins.

Citizens participate

One of the most important actions we have been performing with you for years is the monitoring of the Mediterranean seal population. From every corner of Greece, you send us your reports of seals you have had the chance to observe and admire. Technology, an aid to this valuable collaboration, brings us real-time photos and videos containing important information. So for 2021 you sent us 332 reports of seal sightings from every corner of Greece. From your information and the data collected in the field by MOm biologists, 67 newborns were recorded in the past year!!!

Help to animals in need!

A particularly important and demanding part of MOm's mission is Rescue and Rehabilitation - a process that is stressful, sometimes distressing and sometimes rewarding... As the Mediterranean seal population in Greece is recovering and citizens are becoming more and more actively involved, the number of incidents of animals in need of help (newborn orphans, injured or sick individuals) is increasing year by year. In the past year, we were called 11 times to provide assistance to animals that either needed on-site care or had to be taken to the First Aid Station for long-term care and subsequent reintegration into the natural environment. Unfortunately we were not able to save all the animals as in 6 cases their health condition was not reversible. The last guest of the First Aid Station is little "Evi", a newborn female pup found orphaned on the coast of northeastern Evia. We hope that in about two weeks Evi will be ready to return to her beloved Aegean waters!

Thank you all for your contribution to the protection of one of the rarest mammals on our planet and we hope that the state will finally contribute to this important part of the species' conservation. Besides, the National Action Plan provides for significant support for this important action.

Do not forget: If you see a seal, visit https://www.mom.gr/i-saw-a-seal

New Information Center for the Monk Seal!

The new MOm Information Center in Alonissos is here! With renewed content, in a new space in the port of the island, Patitiri! The new Center, which continues a 32-year tradition of continuous information in Alonissos, was enthusiastically received by visitors to the island as 9637 people visited it! And this year, we expect all of our friends friends who are lucky enough to be on the beautiful island of Alonissos to visit us and meet us in person! We thank all our members, since it is mainly thanks to their support that the idea of the new Centre became a reality, as well as the THALASSA Foundation that supported this effort.

Northern Aegean Dolphin Project
An important project for the cetaceans of Northern Sporades

The Northern Aegean Dolphin Project continued its operation in the summer of 2021 for the 9th consecutive year, with the participation of 71 volunteers with some expected restrictions and precautions due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Undoubtedly, the marine mammals inhabiting the National Marine Park of Alonissos Northern Sporades were as charming as ever, and valuable data was collected to document their conservation measures. Among others, we again observed large mixed groups of common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) actively socializing, allowing our researchers to record valuable data on this enigmatic phenomenon. We also admired resident bottlenose dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) performing impressive jumps, as well as hard-to-see Cuvier's beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris).

Participating in the European Project
LIFE Andros Park

In the framework of the LIFE Andros Park project (http://www.life-androspark.gr/), MOm, apart from the scientific monitoring of the Mediterranean seal population in Andros and Tinos and the cleaning of marine caves from litter, organized an online educational presentation on "Rescue and Rehabilitation of the Mediterranean Seal". The presentation included general information about the species, the importance of the project area, and information on what to do when encountering a Mediterranean Seal either on land or at sea.

The presentation, which took place on Saturday 15 May 2021, was recorded and is available on our YouTube channel!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiV6tOn0DjI

Mapping for Conservation - Completing the identification of critical habitats for the Mediterranean monk seal in Greece:Crete & Dodecanese

At the end of 2021, the MOm research team completed a major recording effort: the mapping of the Mediterranean monk seal refuges in Crete and the Dodecanese. Almost 3,000 kilometres of coastline were explored in detail. 149 marine caves were identified and assessed as suitable for use by the animals. Of these, 38 were assessed as suitable for breeding and the presence of newborns was confirmed in 7 new areas. This action was entirely funded by the THALASSA Foundation and all results will be used to better design conservation measures in these new areas. With the completion of this effort, MOm's researchers now have a comprehensive picture of the distribution of the critical habitat of the Mediterranean monk seal at the national level, which is happening for the first time in the history of the conservation of the species!

Performing the first systematic recording of cetaceans in the Cyclades
Cyclades Care for Dolphins Project

The Cyclades region, although considered internationally as very important for cetaceans, has never been systematically studied until now. MOm, in collaboration and with the financial support of the Cyclades Preservation Fund, has, for the first time, systematically recorded the presence of dolphins in this marine area of the Aegean Sea. The collection of information was carried out with the participation of citizens who filled in the specially designed Cetacean Observation Form and who shared with us photos and videos. As part of the project, aerial surveys were also carried out using a light aircraft. The results of the project gave us a first important insight into the distribution of cetacean occurrences in the Cyclades, which will contribute to the formulation of protection measures. Information collection is ongoing, so, if you have already observed dolphins or are lucky enough to encounter them on your next marine excursion, please visit the website below and fill in and register your observations:

https://form.123formbuilder.com/5967706/dolphin-sighting-report

Conservation actions for the Mediterranean monk seal in the wider area of the National Marine Park of Alonissos Northern Sporades

In order to implement good conservation practices, MOm has launched a new project entitled "Conservation of the Mediterranean seal in the wider area of the Alonissos North Sporades National Marine Park". The project is being carried out both within the boundaries of the National Marine Park of Alonissos Northern Sporades and in the neighbouring areas of Skopelos, Skiathos, N.A. Pelion, North Evia and Lichadonisia, where significant populations of Mediterranean seals are now located.

The project includes active conservation actions, such as direct contribution to the surveillance of the Marine Park, as well as information and scientific research actions using standard technologies.

The project area is considered to be of major importance for the conservation of the species at an international level. Characteristically, in the recent breeding season (autumn 2021) MOm researchers recorded the presence of 21 newborn individuals in this area!

The project is made possible with the financial support of the Monk Seal Alliance (https://www.fpa2.org/monk-seal-alliance-fr.html) and the collaboration of the Thalassa Foundation and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation

MOm distributes know-how and experience to neighboring countries:
EASTERN ADRIATIC MONK SEAL PROJECT, PHASE II

The project aims to prepare Adriatic countries for the return of the Mediterranean seal to their seas and coasts. In 2018, the first Phase of the Eastern Adriatic Monk Seal Project was launched. Experienced environmental organisations PPNEA (Albania), CZIP (Montenegro), and Biom, (Croatia) were selected as national project partners to implement national actions, with scientific coordination by MOm and management coordination by the German Euronatur Foundation (https://www.euronatur.org). The aim was to transfer know-how from Greece to the 3 Adriatic countries. This cooperation was considered to have yielded significant results during its first phase (2018-2020) and it was deemed necessary to continue with the aim of further strengthening the partnerships, completing the habitat mapping, monitoring of the Mediterranean seal in the Northern Ionian and the 3 Adriatic countries and raising public awareness and information.

The project is financially supported by the Monk Seal Alliance (https://www.fpa2.org/monk-seal-alliance-fr.html)

For yet another year, Hellenic Seaways and Blue Star Ferries actively support MOm's work, helping MOm's researchers, the Rescue Team and its equipment to go directly to any island in Greece where their presence is needed. Especially in emergency situations where there is no time or no way to intervene with our own means, they are always by our side and travel us and the pups quickly and safely. We thank them very much!

Recent scientific successes!

MOm is consistently the organisation with the most scientific publications on the Mediterranean monk seal at an international level! Three more scientific publications came to complete the long list and shed light in a scientifically sound way on important aspects of the biology of this rare species.

1. "Maternal behavior and early behavioral ontogeny of the Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus in Greece"
The new scientific publication of MOm deals with the maternal behaviour and infant behavioural development of the Mediterranean monk seal, mainly in breeding caves. PDF Version: https://bit.ly/3w1Mrn

2. "First Report of Uncinaria hamiltoni in Orphan Eastern Mediterranean Monk Seal Pups in Greece and its Clinical Significance"
A new parasite in our country (Uncinaria hamiltoni) was found to affect juvenile Mediterranean monk seals (Monachus monachus) with significant clinical significance! Extensive research by the Department of Veterinary Medicine AUTH in collaboration with MOm, the University of Thessaly and California.

3. "Molt Chronology of a Male Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachus monachus) from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea"

The study elucidates for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea, the evolution of the external morphology of male Mediterranean monk seals that is directly related to their maturation and the beginning of their participation in the reproductive process.

MOm's new collection for 2022 includes many new designs and ideas, ideal for gifts for your loved ones! Especially in this difficult period due to the pandemic, your support is more important than ever! Support our work and help us to ensure the conservation of the rarest marine mammal in Europe!

https://www.mom.gr/e-shop

Our Allies!

Businesses that support us!

MΟm / Hellenic Society for the Study & Protection of the Monk Seal
18 Solomou Str., Athens, Greece 10682
Τel.: +30210-5222888, Fax: +30210-5222450
e-mail: support@mom.gr

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