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Action
Plan for the Management of the Mediterranean Monk Seal |
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Link
to text of agreement
Status of agreement
| Date of adoption |
September 1987
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| Place of adoption |
Barcelona,
Spain |
| Entry into force |
n/a |
| Authentic text(s) |
English |
This Action Plan is one of the
major initiatives for the protection of the Mediterranean monk seal (the world's
most critically endangered pinniped) under the
auspices of the UNEP
Mediterranean Action Plan.
It was adopted in 1987, despite
considerable scientific uncertainty regarding the monk seal, and despite a
difference of scientific opinion as to what measures were required. It was
recognized, however, that the situation was too critical to allow further
postponement of measures. The main points of the Action Plan are that it calls
for the adoption of measures designed to minimize interactions with fisheries
and, in particular to reduce shootings and other mortalities of monk seals
caused by fishermen, through the promotion of information and knowledge to local
fishermen and fishing communities; it provides for the establishment of a
network of marine reserves for the monk seal, with sites in a number of
countries being singled out; it also provides for the establishment of rescue
centres to receive wounded seals and abandoned pups; it lays down a framework
for research and data collection; and it calls for the development of
information programmes for fishermen, the tourism industry, etc. Many of
these actions have, in fact, been implemented, although the status of the
Mediterranean monk seal remains critical.
| Further
information and references |
- Internet sources
