 StefanosS's Alonnisos Island Travelogues | | | |
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| Page Views: 788 Last Visit to Alonnisos Island: August, 2003 | Mediterranean Monk Seal by StefanosS - last update: Jan 16, 2004 |
( Monachus monachus ) | The Mediterranean seal "Monachus monachus" |
"...and the seals came in great numbers from the sea and stretched out on the sandy shore..."
Homer, "The Odyssey"
Centuries have passed since Homer described in his "Odyssey", an idyllic, everyday scene of a Greek shore at the time. The Mediterranean seal was an everyday event then. The Mediterranean seal, the Monachus monachus, today is the number one species under threat of extinction in Europe. Only a few hundred seals are left on the shores of the Mediterranean and West Africa, with the majority, (about 200-250), living in Greek waters today.
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| The Mediterranean seal "Monachus monachus" |
|  | The Mediterranean seal belongs to the large seal species and is one of the few large sea-mammals in Greece. The mature seal reaches a length of 2.8 to 3 metres, with a weight of up to 350 kilos. The body is covered by short, shiny fur, with the colour varying from light gray to dark brown, or even black. The underside is usually lighter in colour, and some animals, usually the dark or black ones, have a white patch.
The Mediterranean seals give birth about once a year, usually every two years. The seals are always born on land, in dark, well-protected sea-caves. The birth period lasts from August to December. The new-born are about one metre in size and weigh approximately 15 kilos. They will suckle for about three months and then learn to find their food for themselves.
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| The Mediterranean seal "Monachus monachus" |
| | The main threat to the Mediterranean seal is human activity. Intentional killing, a reduction in available food, but also accidental snaring in fishermen?s nets, are the main causes of death. Marine pollution and mass tourism also destroy their natural habitat, which leads to low birth rates and high mortality rates in the species. Monachus monachus is at the top of the ecological nutritive pyramid, and can therefore be considered as an index of marine health. If the seal were to disappear it would herald the destruction of the marine environment.
By protecting the Mediterranean seal, we are, in effect, protecting the sea.
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| The Mediterranean seal "Monachus monachus" |
| | The National Marine Park of Alonnisos is one of the last shelters of the Mediterranean seal. It is situated in the area of Northern Sporades islands. Alonnisos is the biggest of these islands. The National Marine Park includes 6 small islands (Peristera, Kyra-Panagia, Yioura, Skantzoura, Psathoura, Piperi) and 22 rocky barren islands and reefs.
It was established in 1992, it is under the protection of the European Union and hostes about 25 seals. Two more couples, visiting the area, live in some distance: one near Syros and one near Mykonos.
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| The location of Northern Sporades islands |
| | The dark blue spot is the Northern Sporades islands. The lined area is the area that the seals of the National Marine Park are using to find their food. |
| The Mediterranean seal "Monachus monachus" |
| | The species named "Mediterranean seal" lives in the Mediterranean Sea and the NW coast of Africa (Atlantic Ocean). |
| The Mediterranean seal "Monachus monachus" |
| | These pages are taken from a handbook of Ecological Education. |
| The Mediterranean seal "Monachus monachus" |
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| The Mediterranean seal "Monachus monachus" |
| | A seal depicted on an ancient vase. (Arcaeological Museum of Athens). |
| The Mediterranean seal "Monachus monachus" |
| | Today a special Centre in Alonnisos offers free documentation and information to the tourists and natives who want to know more about Monachus monachus, the Mediterranean seal.
Although it is in the most central place of Patitiri, it is hardly recognised. You have to ask for it! |
| The Mediterranean seal "Monachus monachus" |
| | Good documentation can also be found in the site:
http://www.alonissos.com/
available in English, Greek.
For the moment, the site is still under construction.
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| The Mediterranean seal "Monachus monachus" |
| | Mediterranean seals may have different colors (like cats!). Here, mother and child! |
| | MOm
the SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY AND PROTECTION OF MEDITERRANEAN SEAL
18, Solomou str - GR106.82 - Athens - Greece
Tel.: 210 - 52 22 888
fax: 210 - 52 22 450,
e-mail: inf@mom.gr</b>
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| | This ship, named "Odyssey" belongs to the "MOm", the SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY AND PROTECTION OF MEDITERRANEAN SEAL.
"Alonnisos" is the name of a patrol speed boat of "MOm" for the oversight and the quick access of the islands. |
| | Dolphins are also frequent visitors of the area of the National Marine Park |
| | By protecting the Mediterranean seal, we are, in effect, protecting the sea. |
| | This is the ID-card of the Greek Seal! I will try to make her a Passport for international use!
name: Monachus monachus
class: Mammal
order: Carnivorous
universal population: It is estimated that there exist some hundreds of Mediterranean seals living in the Mediterranean sea and the Atlantic coast of North Africa.
length of adult individual: about 2.5m
weight of adult individual: about 300kg
colour: grey or brown with light-coloured belly
new-borns: 1m length, 15-20kg. Reproduction period is between July and December.
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 Comments for StefanosS about Alonnisos Island | | | | |
Jim_Eliason Wed Sep 17, 2008 12:48 UTC
Nice page Stefanos | zuriga Wed Aug 22, 2007 09:47 UTC
Very informative, thanks. My cousin visits relatives there often (his daughter married a native), and I hope to join him one day. | centrope Tue Jan 9, 2007 21:16 UTC
Stefanos, your Alonissos page is great. I revived my memories, having visited this beautiful corner of Greece twice in the past. I am travelling to Greece every year, but Alonissos remained in my heart at deepest. Centrope |
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