Mediterranean monk seals increased detection in the Gulf of Corinth (Greece) during CoViD 19 lockdown

Marta Azzolin, Matteo Costantino, Sebastien Saintignan, Guido Pietroluongo
Abstract:
Cryptic endangered species, such as the Mediterranean monk seal, need special conservation measure s for their survival and habitat protection. Globally, CoViD 19 lockdown played as an environmental simulation of protection measu res and practical conservation actions , such as the ban or mitigation of human activities in key habitat s for the marine species. An analysis of the comparison between historical data and lockdown data about the presence of monk seal in the Gulf of Corinth remarked the evidence of increased sightings frequency of free ranging individuals within the Alkionides Gulf , along the Perachora Peninsula, which could have beneficiated of the low anthropogenic impact situation. This area of the Gulf of Corinth indeed represents an essential habitat for this endangered spec ies in Greek waters, where the enforcement of conservation measures will lead to effective protection, allowing seals population to increase, disperse, and recolonise crucial sites.
Download:
IMEKO-TC19-MetroSea-2020-22.pdf
DOI:
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Event details
IMEKO TC:
TC19
Event name:
MetroSea 2020
Title:

TC19 International Workshop on Metrology for the Sea

Place:
Naples, ITALY
Time:
05 October 2020 - 07 October 2020