Imagine a creature teetering on the brink of extinction, seeking refuge in hidden caves to escape the relentless march of tourism. This poignant scene unfolds in Greece’s northern Sporades, where a massive Mediterranean monk seal is spotted nestled deep within a sea cave. As a boat drifts nearby, binoculars reveal the unmistakable silhouette of one of the world’s rarest marine mammals—an impressive beast measuring up to 2.8 meters long and weighing over 300 kilograms (around 660 pounds). These enormous seals are not only rare but also among the largest species of seals alive today.
The specific site, Piperi, is a strictly protected island within the Alonissos and Northern Sporades Marine Protected Area (MPA)—the largest of its kind in Greece and a vital breeding ground for these elusive animals. Access is highly restricted; only researchers with official authorization from Greece’s Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency are permitted within three miles of its shores. This level of protection underscores the seriousness of efforts to conserve the monk seal population, which today numbers fewer than 1,000 individuals worldwide.
According to the IUCN Red List (https://www.iucnredlist.org/ja/species/13653/238637039), the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) was reclassified from 'endangered' to 'vulnerable' in 2023—a testament to decades of dedicated conservation work that has helped increase their numbers. In Greece alone, an estimated 500 monk seals now inhabit the waters—a striking increase from about 250 in the 1990s—representing approximately half of the global population (https://www.monksealalliance.org/en/news/news/greece-s-ministerial-decree-paves-the-way-for-stronger-conservation-efforts-068). Such statistics highlight Greece’s crucial role in safeguarding this fragile species, a fitting fact given the longstanding cultural reverence for seals in Greek mythology—once believed to be under the protection of gods like Poseidon and Apollo.
Historically, Mediterranean monk seals faced intense hunting for their pelts, meat, and blubber since prehistoric times. While these threats have diminished locally, new challenges have emerged—entanglement in fishing gear (https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/mediterranean-monk-seal), depletion of their food sources (https://sealgreece.org/about-monk-seals/), environmental pollution (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969723084863), and habitat destruction (https://sealgreece.org/about-monk-seals/). Now, a modern menace looms large: the rapid expansion of Greece’s marine leisure industry. Unregulated tourism—boats, yachts, and snorkelers—poses a significant threat to these sensitive creatures, disrupting their natural behaviors and habitat.
Recent aerial footage captures the serene beauty of the seals swimming in crystal-clear waters near a small red boat, illustrating both the charm and vulnerability of these animals (https://interactive.guim.co.uk/embed/from-tool/looping-video/index.html?poster-image=https%3A%2F%2Fuploads.guim.co.uk%2F2025%2F11%2F27%2FSealloop.00000000.Still003.jpg&mp4-video=https%3A%2F%2Fuploads.guim.co.uk%2F2025%2F11%2F27%2FSealloop2.mp4). This summer, various initiatives aimed at reversing these threats have been launched. Among them is Seal Greece (https://sealgreece.org/), a nationwide educational campaign designed to raise awareness about the species and the importance of its protection. Simultaneously, the small islet of Formicula, a vital seal habitat in the Ionian Sea, has been protected by establishing a strict 200-meter no-entry zone before the busy summer season begins.
In October, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced plans for two large-scale Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). If these areas are effectively managed—a point of concern given current governance structures—they could serve as critical sanctuaries for the monk seals, bolstering efforts to secure their future.
Meanwhile, in the waters surrounding Piperi, marine biologist and volunteer warden Angelos Argiriou points out cameras trained on the shoreline. “We often observe seals resting here,” he shares. “The fact that they feel safe enough to haul out openly indicates that the current protection measures are having a positive impact.” Since the late 1980s, Greece has taken steps to protect monk seals, notably through the efforts of the Hellenic Society for the Protection of the Monk Seal (MOm), which has rescued over 40 orphaned or injured seals. As MOm’s president, Panos Dendrinos, notes, “Our rehabilitation center has significantly contributed to the species’ recovery. Last year, we rehabilitated a female seal who later had a pup. Saving even one female could mean the potential for up to twenty pups in her lifetime.”
Historically, monk seals gathered extensively on beaches, but the pressure of human activity has caused many of them to retreat into caves for shelter. Unfortunately, these caves weren’t originally ideal birthing sites—the violent surf could damage or drown pups or sweep them out to sea. Moreover, as coastal areas become more accessible, these caves are no longer safe hideouts. With increased tourism—whether from day-trippers or private yachts—these formerly remote habitats are now exposed to constant human disturbance.
“After just a week of giving birth, mother seals leave their pups to hunt for hours,” explains Dendrinos. “If someone intrudes into a cave during this time, the mother could abandon her pup, who may then get lost or die.” Over four decades of monitoring in the Alonissos MPA, he says, seal behavior has shifted, with open beaches now becoming regular resting sites.
Formicula, another critical habitat, will soon be incorporated into the newly designated Ionian MPA. Once a relatively obscure islet, it is situated among the world’s most trafficked sailing routes. Unlike its popular neighbors such as Meganisi and Cephalonia, Formicula only recently gained attention from tourists. Marine biologist Joan Gonzalvo from Tethys Research Institute recounts how tourism once brought frequent sightings of seals swimming and socializing. “Six, seven, or eight years ago, we’d see multiple seals daily, chasing each other and interacting,” he recalls. But that all changed with the influx of tourists seeking ‘seal encounters’—unfortunately, many tourists and boaters began chasing or disturbing the animals.
Gonzalvo describes how human intrusion caused distress, with some visitors entering breeding caves, resulting in mothers abandoning pups. One vivid example is recorded in August 2024, when he observed over 50 boats crowded around the tiny shoreline of Formicula. Today, sightings are much scarcer—rarely more than one or two seals at a time. Gonzalvo recognizes a particular seal, identified as “Mm17003,” among the hundreds cataloged online (https://ioniandolphinproject.org/mediterranean-monk-seals/idp-mediterranean-monk-seal-photoid-catalogue/). Despite recent efforts to establish no-entry zones, boats continue anchoring within protected areas, and tourists swim near the caves—an ongoing challenge.
Unlike the well-patrolled Alonissos MPA, Formicula currently lacks active wardens. Gonzalvo often finds himself having to politely remind boat operators that they’re in a restricted zone, but with limited enforcement, vigilance remains a challenge. “It’s still early,” he admits, “but the lack of seal activity is worrying. We need serious investment in law enforcement if we want to save these habitats—and the species that depend on them.”
NGOs frequently criticize “paper parks”—protected areas on paper that lack real enforcement—and warn that Greece’s marine protected zones are often ineffective in practice. A recent report by nine environmental organizations revealed that only a fraction of EU-designated Natura 2000 sites in Greece have functional protective regimes, often fragmented or temporary formations. The hope is that the new MPAs will bring dedicated patrols and dedicated enforcement. As Dendrinos emphasizes, “The Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency must be better equipped—with more boats, more personnel. Right now, wardens report to port authorities, which makes timely action difficult.”
Gonzalvo underscores a stark reality: if critical habitats like Formicula remain unprotected, the consequences stretch beyond the seals. They serve as a warning sign for the health of our entire oceans. If we fail to safeguard even these tiny, remote sites for one of the most endangered marine mammals, what hope remains for the broader marine ecosystem?
