Pietroluongo, G., Quintana Martín-Montalvo, B., Ashok, K., Miliou, A., Fosberry, J., Antichi, S., Moscatelli, S., Tsimpidis, T., Carlucci, R., Azzolin, M. Combining Monitoring Approaches as a Tool to Assess the Occurrence of the Mediterranean Monk Seal in Samos Island, Greece. Hydrobiology 2022.

Abstract

With a current global estimation of 600–700 individuals, Monachus monachus is considered among the most threatened seal species globally and is ranked as “Endangered” by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The Mediterranean distribution of the species is fragmented, and the largest known sub-population inhabits its easternmost areas. The present study analyses the occurrence of M. monachus on Samos Island, in the north-eastern Aegean Sea, Greece. From May 2017 to November 2019, data were collected through a combination of monitoring approaches, including visual monitoring from a land position, opportunistic sightings collected by citizen science, and data of stranded individuals. Results indicate the constant occurrence of monk seals in the waters and coastal areas of Samos Island, confirming the importance of this area for conservation purposes. Furthermore, the results show that an integrated methodological approach can contribute to enhancing and increasing data collection, representing an effective method for conservation studies. This approach could be applied in other locations, allowing the scientific community to identify regions of interest, where to expand targeted monitoring and apply conservation measures.