National Marine Park of Alonisos

The Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) is one of the world’s most endangered marine mammals, with fewer than 600 individuals currently surviving. This species of monk seal, one of the largest seals in the world, grows from approximately 80cm long at birth up to nearly 2.5m as adults. They are thought to live up to 45 years old; the average life span is thought to be 20 to 25 years old. It is present in parts of the Mediterranean Sea and the Eastern Atlantic Ocean waters around the Tropic of Cancer as well.

History and exploitation In ancient Greece, monk seals were placed under the protection of Poseidon and Apollo because they showed a great love for sea and sun. One of the first coins, minted around 500 BC, depicted the head of a monk seal, and the creatures were immortalized in the writings of Homer, Plutarch and Aristotle. To fishermen and seafarers, catching sight of the animals frolicking in the waves or loafing on the beaches was considered to be an omen of good fortune. Humans hunted Mediterranean monk seals for the basic necessities of their own survival – fur, oil, meat, medicines – but in early antiquity did not kill them in large enough numbers to endanger their existence as a species.

The main threats against the Mediterranean monk seal include: habitat deterioration and loss by coastal development, including disturbance by tourism and pleasure boating; deliberate killing by fishermen and fish farm operators, who consider the animal a pest that damages their nets and ‘steals’ their fish, particularly in depleted coastal fishing grounds; accidental entanglement in fishing gear leading to death by drowning; decreased food availability due to over-fishing pressures; stochastic events, such as disease outbreaks.

The National Marine Park of Alonnisos Northern Sporades was the first designated Marine Park in the country and is currently the largest (approximately 2.260 Km2 ) marine protected area in Europe .

Marine Park’s Objective The basic objective of the Management Body's Integrated Management of the NMPANS is to combine the conservation of biodiversity and the protection of natural ecosystems with an increasing economic development and social cohesion under the principles of sustainable development. 

Marine Park Presentation: George Stavrou Comenius Team