Active from 2022 – ongoing
The Monk Seal project, internationally called “Care4Seal – Revealing the distribution of the Mediterranean Monk Seal in the NW Mediterranean using eDNA approaches”, is coordinated by the Fondazione Acquario di Genova Onlus and aims to indirectly verify the presence of the monk seal ( Monachus monachus ) mainly in the waters of the Cetacean Sanctuary and in the North-West Mediterranean (where the species has historically been scarcely present), but possibly extending the surveys to other areas. The project involves the analysis of many seawater samples, collected according to standard protocols, which are then filtered and analyzed for traces of environmental DNA (eDNA) of the monk seal. To make the project more effective, which also includes awareness-raising and training actions for non-professional technicians, a significant part of citizen science resources is also used, mobilized through specific training courses.
This approach will provide up-to-date information on the current distribution of the Monk Seal in the studied areas.
The project, due to its innovative concept and environmental value, received sponsorship from 11th Hour Racing (US) and was recognized under the EU Missions – Restore Our Ocean and Waters.
Partner:
Genoa Aquarium Foundation Onlus, University of Milan Bicocca, Monk Seal Group of WWF Italy.
Sponsors:
11th Hour Racing - 1 Degree LCC (USA), CMA-CGM Genova, ECOCREST© (through certification by Carloforte Tonnare PIAM, Superlativa srl, ArteCad SA).