Mediterranean Monk Seal

Mediterranean Monk Seal

Monachus monachus

Illustration of a juvenile Mediterranean monk seal.

Protected Status

ESA Endangered - Foreign
Throughout Its Range
CITES Appendix I
Throughout Its Range
MMPA Protected
Throughout Its Range
MMPA Depleted
Throughout Its Range

Quick Facts

Weight
530 to 660 pounds
Lifespan
20 to 30 years
Length
7 to 9 feet
Threats
Habitat destruction, Habitat degradation, Entanglement in fishing gear, Harassment
Region
Foreign
See Regulatory Actions

About The Species

The Mediterranean monk seal is one of the rarest marine mammals in the world and one of only a few pinniped species to reside in tropical and subtropical waters. Currently, only 600 to 700 individuals remain. Major threats to the Mediterranean monk seal include displacement and habitat deterioration, deliberate killing by humans, and fisheries bycatch and entanglement.

The Mediterranean monk seal is found in the Mediterranean Sea and the eastern Atlantic Ocean along the coast of Northwest Africa. The Mediterranean monk seal is listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act and depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Protected Status

ESA Endangered - Foreign

  • Throughout Its Range

CITES Appendix I

  • Throughout Its Range

MMPA Protected

  • Throughout Its Range

MMPA Depleted

  • Throughout Its Range

Scientific Classification

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Carnivora
Family Phocidae
Genus Monachus
Species monachus

Featured News

<span>Availability of Mediterranean Monk Seal 5-Year Review (2017)</span> Featured Image
Feature Story

Availability of Mediterranean Monk Seal 5-Year Review (2017)

National
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In the Spotlight

Management Overview

The Mediterranean monk seal is listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act and depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Regulatory History

The Mediterranean monk seal was listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act in 1970.

We completed a 5-year review for this species in September 2017.

Key Actions and Documents

Actions & Documents Incidental Take

Mediterranean Monk Seal 5-Year Review

In 2016, NMFS announced the initiation of a 5-year review for the Mediterranean Monk Seal&nbsp;(Monachus monachus). NMFS is required by the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to conduct 5-year reviews to ensure that the listing classifications of species are…
Notice
,
Foreign
Published

More Information

Science Overview

Documents

Document

Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachus monachus) 5-Year Review: Summary and Evaluation

A 5-year review is a periodic analysis of a species’ status conducted to ensure the accuracy of…

International
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