Once upon a time this species was easily found in Sicily, but the excessive presence of fishermen and tourists on our coasts did nothing but drive it away
Over the last few days, a video has begun to circulate on social media depicting a monk seal (Monachus monachus), swimming in the warm waters ofPlemmirio marine protected area. One of the most important tourist and naturalistic destinations in the Syracuse area.
The sighting of this particular marine mammal was then confirmed by the managers of the protected area themselves and by the author of the video, Emanuele L., who happened to witness the graceful swimming of this pinniped last week while trying to get closer to the coast.
Emanuele L. was near gate 29, in via degli Zaffiri 94, at the height of the submerged statue of the Mermaid, when he heard a strange splash coming from the sea. This noise was caused by the seal, busy eating what looked like a moray eel or a barracuda, while she was busy playing in the waves while fishing.
This sighting is considered extraordinary by biologists, since not considering another fortuitous case, dated two years ago, this species was not sighted in the province of Syracuse for over 60 yearssince it began to suffer the demographic decline induced by excessive competition with our fishing vessels.
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“What we have just witnessed is certainly a good sign and an excellent indicator of the state of health of our seas” clarified the managers of the marine protected area, through a statement by President Patrizia Maiorca.
«However, it must be remembered that a sighting is not significant enough to believe that the Monk Seal lives permanently in the waters of Plemmirio. The specimen could have gone towards the coast, for example, to probe the environment or verify that there is suitable tranquility.”
Nowadays, the monk seal is still considered an excellent indicator of the quality of marine waters and it is no coincidence that the latest Sicilian sightings have almost always taken place within protected marine areas or in coves that are difficult for tourists to reach.
Once upon a time, the monk seal was easily found in Sicily, in particular during the reproductive season and that linked to the end of pregnancies, but the excessive presence of fishermen – who considered it as an enemy – and tourists on our coasts did not done nothing but push her away.
It is one of the most threatened mammal species on the planet and according to a calculation carried out by experts, its global population currently counts a maximum of 700 individuals scattered across the Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic. It is a species that mainly eats cephalopods, medium-large sized fish (groupers, moray eels) and crustaceans, but on some occasions it can also eat non-stinging jellyfish.
«We obviously hope that the animal seen in our sea is not the last to decide to visit our coasts – clarified President Mallorca. – However, if sea conditions allow it, we would like to quickly reveal its DNA, to conduct analyzes that will allow us to understand its origin and the health conditions of the species.”
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