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

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 (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 of Initiation of 5-year review (81 FR 60347; 09/01/2016)

Mediterranean Monk Seal 5-Year Review

Notice

Foreign

Published

September 1, 2017

Listing of the Mediterranean Monk Seal

The Mediterranean monk seal is protected in its range by various laws administered by the countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea and eastern Atlantic Ocean. The import/export of samples, parts, or live animals into/out of the United States is…

Final Rule (35 FR 8491, 06/02/1970)

Final Rule

Foreign

Effective

June 2, 1970

Science Overview

Documents

Document