Project location
Madeira, Portugal
Project duration and start
1 Year, 2010
Project Sponsor
Thomas Cook Reisen, Neckermann Reisen, Thomas Cook Austria / Neckermann Reisen Österreich
Project description
Madeira’s population makes their living mainly from tourism and fishing. Apart from visitors being drawn by the landscape and the climate, Madeira also offers inviting beach locations. For some decades now a population of Monk seals has settled down around the touristic beach areas, which draws increasing tourist interest. The growing number of boat tours in the last couple of years, have been intruding severely into the habitat of this special seal type.
Furthermore, the local fishermen complain about an increase in damage to fishing gear caused by the seals, which leads to further conflict between the animals and the people of Madeira. In order to counter this negative interaction, committed on site scientists and conservationists made it their duty to learn more about the Monk seals’ behavior.
This Futouris supported project, a sub-project of the since 1988 running Madeira seal projection project, is creating a practical handbook that bundles information for the interaction with the Monk seals and raises people’s awareness for seal protection. The handbook is intended for the public as well as diving schools, boat operators, and employees of holiday areas, marina operators and fishermen. The information and photographic material accumulated over many years make the basis for this handbook.
Project goals
- Long-term seal protection and raising tourists’ and local players’ awareness in the dealing with this animal specie on Madeira
- Creating a practical handbook for specie-friendly observation for the purpose of the Monk seals’ protection, as well as creating awareness with the tourists
Project partner / Project coordinator
Project Organisation: Serviço do Parque Natural da Madeira, www.pnm.pt
Project Coordinator: Rosa Pires
