black sea red data book - Department of Biology

STATUS OF THE MONK SEAL (M.monachus) ON
THE BLACK SEA COASTS OF TURKEY
By Cem Kirac
The existence of the Monk Seals was mentioned by Mursalaglu (1964), Berkes
(1978), Ozturk (1996) and Kirac & Savas(1996). Two monk seals were recorded on
the Turkish Black Sea coast in 1991 -1994, swimming along the coast between Cide,
Gatalzeytin, Inebow, Abana and Doganyurt (Ozturk, 1996). Meanwhile, studies of
AFAG between Akcakoca and Zonguldak (74 km of coastline) performed between
1989 and 1994 revealed that monk seal is extinct in this zone, with the last regular
sighting dating back to December 1987 (Kirac & Savas, 1996). SAD/AFAG made
two expeditions along these coasts in 1993 and 1994, respectively. Our studies
included interviews with professional fishermen who spend more hours and days at
sea than scientists and conservationists can afford. Also, amateur fishermen, sailors,
divers and other interested people were interviewed. A standard inquiry form of
AFAG for "Monk Seal Sightings" was used in collecting data; each sighting sheet is
stored in a Dbase Program. In contrast to our studies made on the western coasts
(between Akcakoca and Zonguldak), AFAG could not make field studies in the
Central Black Sea due to limited finance. However, we could obtain preliminary data
about the existence of monk seals (approximate number and approximate distribution
on 350 km of coastline). The results show that minimum three monk seals survive on
the Turkish Black Sea Coasts. This number is not the result of individual
identifications but reflects the total number of seal sighted together. AFAG obtained
97 seal sighting data for 1960-1995, against 78 sighting data for 1990-1995 (July).
There were two seals together (n=4) in three different locations in 1990-1995 and
three seals together (n=3) in three different locations in 1990 - 1995. The locations
having multiple seal sightings indicate higher numbers of monk seals than indicated
above. Habitat degradation is minimal and there is little tourist development in this
zone of Turkish Black Sea Coast. Protection of species is therefore easier than in
other parts of Turkey (Kirac & Veryeri, 1996; Guclusoy, 1995,1996). There are also
17 caves, found by Ozturk (1996) in just one part of the mentioned zone.
6. UKRAINE
by Boris Alexandrov
Law N2750-XU "Red Data Book of Ukraine" was signed on 29 October 1992.
According to this law, 430 species of plants and 396 species of animals in Ukraine are
listed as Red Data Book (RDB) organisms. They include 19 species of algae and 100
species of which are inhabitants of the Black Sea. The first volume of the Ukrainian
RDB (Animals) was published in 1994. It includes pictures, maps and detailed
description of extinct and endangered species. The second volume (Plants) was
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