For nearly two months, two low-emission sailing boats have crisscrossed the Aegean and Ionian seas to raise awareness about one of the world’s most endangered marine mammals: the Mediterranean monk seal.
The “Seal Greece” campaign, organized by the Monk Seal Alliance and Greece’s Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency, has visited 26 islands and 29 ports, covering roughly 1,000 nautical miles, Euronews reported on Monday.
Marine biologist Suzanne Raqbi said she uses an augmented reality display to engage locals and tourists. “A beautiful seal gives them playful advice on how to act if they encounter Mediterranean seals,” she told Euronews.
The team, including Captain Loukas Gurchogiannis, also speaks with business owners on islands that depend heavily on tourism. Many residents, they said, were unaware human activity can disturb and even threaten the seals. “I think this serves as a wake-up call,” he said.
Disturbances often come from recreational and tourist boats that enter seal habitats, including caves, where loud music, shouting and photo-taking disrupt the animals. Party boats pose an even greater risk, campaigners said.
Professional skipper Elias Theodoropoulos told Euronews many travelers show interest in conservation. “Tourism can be combined with environmental protection. It needs moderation and balance,” he said.
Fewer than 1,000 monk seals remain in the wild, nearly half in Greek waters. Campaign organizers hope education, especially among young people, can help protect the species.