Rodopi authorities reported a record number of Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) births this year at the Sporades National Park. Scientists documented 21 newborn seals on Piperi Island and southeastern Skopelos, far exceeding the average annual number recorded over the past 37 years.
The Organisation for the Environment and Climate Change (OFYPEKA) highlighted that the Mediterranean monk seal is a priority species for the European Union’s conservation of natural habitats, fauna, and flora. Greece hosts roughly half of the global population, making the country a key player in its protection. In the early 1990s, the species numbered fewer than 600 worldwide.
OFYPEKA CEO Kostas Triantis said the increase in births reflects decades of systematic monitoring, effective management, and collaboration between public authorities, scientific institutions, environmental organisations, and local communities. He added that Greece plans to apply the same principles to two new marine parks in the Ionian and Aegean Seas.
Dr Panagiotis Dendrinos, president of MOm, confirmed the population rebound, noting that scientific monitoring over nearly four decades shows a significant recovery in Greek waters. He said the park already serves as a model for Mediterranean monk seal and marine biodiversity protection, though management improvements remain necessary.
Local stakeholders also praised the collaborative conservation efforts. Ioanna Ouranitsa, president of the Alonissos Northern Sporades Fishermen’s Association, said professional fishers have demonstrated that sea protection and sustainable fishing can coexist. Vera Alexandropoulou, vice president of the Thalassa Foundation, noted that marine parks support ecosystem health, with monk seal increases directly linked to abundant fish stocks and ecological balance.
OFYPEKA emphasised that the record number of 21 births follows last year’s historic observation of a pup born on an open beach at Piperi, signalling that seals now feel secure in the park. Officials stressed that despite the population rebound, continued protection remains critical, as the monk seal is a top predator and essential for maintaining marine ecosystems.
Authorities credited public awareness campaigns, regulated fishing, reinforced park patrols, entrance fees to sensitive habitats, and partnerships with scientific and environmental organisations for the species’ recovery.
The Sporades area received National Marine Park status by presidential decree in 1992, marking one of Greece’s first conservation efforts. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classified the species as “Critically Endangered” in 1996. Signs of population recovery in 2014 led to a status revision to “Endangered,” and further increases since 2022 have upgraded its classification to “Vulnerable,” with an estimated 850–950 individuals.
