The sea and beautiful beaches are a major draw for many tourists to Greece. However, these visitors can—often unknowingly—pose a threat to the animals living there. Why animal protection organizations are increasingly concerned about the monk seals living there, and what travelers should know.
For many, Greece is the epitome of a summer vacation. With over 13,000 kilometers of coastline, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and numerous islands, this southern European country attracts millions of travelers each year. Whether snorkeling, sailing, motorboating, or island hopping—the options are vast. Yet behind the postcard-perfect scenery lies a precarious downside. What means fun and relaxation for tourists is increasingly becoming a problem for some marine animals.
The Mediterranean is also home to one of the world’s rarest marine mammals: the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus). It primarily inhabits remote coastal regions, with a significant portion of the global population found in Greece. Key habitats include the area around Gyaros. According to the organization WWF Hellas, more than one in ten of these animals worldwide live in the area of the uninhabited Cyclades island. The northern Sporades also offer important refuges.
In the adjacent National Marine Park, which is reportedly the largest marine protection park in Europe, access is heavily restricted. This is to protect breeding and resting sites. Seal populations can also be found on the small island of Formicula off Greece’s west coast in the Ionian Sea. But regardless of location, the animals are increasingly endangered by human activities.
Humans increasingly displace monk seals in Greece
As a result, monk seals are increasingly retreating to remote sea caves to give birth to their young. Births usually occur between May and September—right during the peak tourist season. In their first days of life, the young seals cannot swim well and are heavily dependent on their mothers. However, the caves pose significant dangers: young seals can be thrown against rocks, drown, or be swept out to the open sea, as reported by the British newspaper “The Guardian.”
Human disturbance can therefore have fatal consequences. “About a week after birth, monk seal mothers go fishing and leave their young alone for hours,” explains Panos Dendrinos, president of the Greek seal protection organization MOm, to the British newspaper. “If someone enters the cave, the young seal is likely to panic and leave; the mother will hardly find it then.”
Monk seals on the Red List of endangered species
Around Formicula, the impacts are also evident. Marine biologist Joan Gonzalvo from the Tethys Research Institute, a nonprofit organization based in Milan dedicated to the study and protection of the marine environment, reports that tourism has significantly reduced encounters with the animals. “What was initially exciting quickly turned into a nightmare,” he tells “The Guardian,” adding, “Nowadays, we’re lucky if we see even one or two seals.” In the past, sightings of five or six playing animals in the water were not uncommon.
The Monachus monachus are generally considered highly endangered; only a few hundred exist worldwide. Their population is not only disturbed by tourism and shipping but also significantly impacted by habitat loss due to coastal development and accidental entanglement in fishing nets. Although the population has slightly recovered recently, experts urge caution and warn against premature optimism.
Protection zone on Formicula Island
The authorities in Greece have since responded. At the end of 2024, the Ministry of Environment established a 200-meter protection zone around Formicula. Boats are not allowed to dock there, the speed limit is set at a maximum of four knots, and a minimum distance of 30 meters from the animals is required. Additionally, feeding the animals is prohibited, and visitors must leave the area by sunset. Violations are punishable by arrest. Furthermore, Greece has committed to increasing the share of protected marine and coastal areas to 30 percent by the next decade. Just last summer, new marine protected areas were designated in the Aegean and Ionian Seas.
In parallel, the Monk Seal Alliance, a coalition of various foundations for the protection of the Mediterranean monk seal, and the Greek conservation authority NECCA launched the “Seal Greece” initiative last summer. The national information campaign, supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, aims to raise public awareness—especially among tourists—about the protection of the endangered seal species. The digital tool Seal Greece AR-Experience is intended to help identify protected habitats more easily.
Maria Papadopoulou, president of the conservation authority NECCA, emphasized in the Greek newspaper “To Vima,” however: “Challenges remain: Monitoring is difficult due to the species’ remote habitat, law enforcement needs to be further strengthened, and disturbances from human activities continue to pose a serious problem. Long-term collaboration with all stakeholders and continuous public education are essential to overcome these challenges.”
What tourists can do for animal protection
Tourists in Greece should respect the natural habitat and protected areas of the seals. If you encounter a seal, maintain a distance, remain calm, and do not touch or feed the protected animal. Although Monachus monachus is not considered aggressive, the marine creature, which can grow up to three meters long, can become dangerous if it feels threatened. Especially in caves, visitors should slowly retreat and ensure that the animals always have an escape route.
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