Strategy and Action Plan on Monk Seal

Overview

Within the framework of the SPA/BD Protocol of the Barcelona Convention, the Contracting Parties have adopted:

an Action Plan for the Management of the Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachus monachus);
a Regional Strategy for the Conservation of the Mediterranean Monk Seal in the Mediterranean, regularly updated and currently serving as the main strategic framework.

These two instruments are complementary. Although they are not legally binding, they are adopted by the Contracting Parties as strategic frameworks defining common priorities and actions to be implemented. They promote the regional cooperation and coordination necessary for the conservation and sustainable management of the species and habitats concerned. This approach has proven essential to ensure their coherent protection across the Mediterranean

Species concerned

The Mediterranean monk seal is listed in Annex II of the SPA/BD Protocol (Endangered or Threatened Species).

The Mediterranean Monk Seal

This poster is also available in Arabic and French.

Strategic orientation

Action Plan for the Management of the Mediterranean Monk Seal

The Action Plan sets out general principles, in particular with regard to:

reducing adult mortality;
establishing a network of marine reserves;
research, data collection and the recovery of conservation status;
information and awareness programmes;
coordination, review and funding.

Regional Strategy for the Conservation of the Mediterranean Monk Seal in the Mediterranean

The Regional strategy is based on a long-term vision:

Over the next two decades, the ecological recovery of monk seals in the Mediterranean will deem to have occurred, when multiple colonies have become established within all major habitats in their historic range, interacting in ecologically significant ways with the fullest possible set of other species, and inspiring and connecting human cultures.

This long-term vision relies on four strategic objectives:

Mediterranean Range States implement this Strategy in pursuance of the Vision, through the expeditious development and adoption of appropriate national policies and administrative frameworks, and with effective, coordinated support from relevant international organisations and civil society.
Monk seal breeding nuclei in sites located in “Group A” countries (where monk seal breeding has been reported after year 2017) are effectively protected from deliberate and accidental killings, habitat degradation and human disturbance, so that seal numbers in such sites increase and seals are able to disperse to and re-colonise the surrounding areas.
Monk seal presence in sites where they are repeatedly seen today in “Group B” countries is permanently established, and breeding resumes. “Group B” countries (where no monk seal breeding is reported, but where repeated sightings of monk seals (>3) were reported since 2017) are upgraded to “Group A”.
Monk seal presence is reported repeatedly in the species’ historical habitat in “Group C” countries, and these “Group C” countries are upgraded to “Group B”. Once all “Group C” countries (where no monk seal breeding is reported, and where very rare or no sightings of monk seals (≤3) were reported since 2017) are upgraded, Group C is deleted.

Implementation

Implementation of the Action Plan is the responsibility of the national authorities of the Contracting Parties.

SPA/RAC ensures regional coordination, facilitates cooperation among countries and supports the development of technical guidance and capacity-building.

International organisations, NGOs, scientific institutions and laboratories may contribute to its implementation and, where appropriate, obtain the status of Action Plan Partner in accordance with the procedures adopted by the Contracting Parties.

List of the Regional Action Plan’ Partners

The list below has been approved by the Seventeenth Meeting of SPA/BD Focal Points, held in Istanbul from 20 to 22 May 2025.

ISPRA: Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (Italy)
MedPAN: The Mediterranean network of Marine Protected Areas Managers (France)
WWF Mediterranean: World Wide Fund for Nature – Mediterranean (Italy)
WWF NA: World Wide Fund for Nature – North Africa (Tunisia)