Threatened marine species to be extinct in Greece

Two of the most widespread endangered species in Greece are the Caretta caretta turtle and Monachus monachus seal. These species have been included in the Red Data Book of Endangered Animals of Greece. The Caretta caretta turtle is considered to be a "threatening" species, while Monachus monachus monk seal is classified as "Critically Endangered" species (IUCN Red List, 2018).

Beginning with the Caretta caretta turtle, it is known that her journey begins from the moment her egg pops up until it reaches the sea. Her instinct is that leads her to go to the sea. The young ones are oriented by the brightest horizon they encounter. However, the risk of their survival starts from that moment, with various dangers to thrive. Only 1 in 1000 turtles will survive to reach adulthood. The turtles live for about 100 years and reach adulthood after the second decade of their lifes. For their reproduction, they return to the beach that they were born to give birth to their eggs. Their return to the same beach confirms the importance of conservation, management and protection of ecosystems and spawning beaches. The spawning season starts each year in May and ends in October with the exit of the small ones towards the sea. Each turtle will return to the area, that has chosen to spawn its eggs every two to three years, and in each spawning period the sea turtle will spawn two to three times (WWF, 2018).

Figure 1: Turtle Caretta caretta (omilo, 2018)

The main threats, which are facing in Greece, are the ecological degradation of the ecosystems hosting it, such as the residential and tourist development of spawning beaches, the artificial lighting that disorients youngsters, the erosion of beaches and the climate change that threatens coastal ecosystems and spawning beaches. Trapping on fishing gear, speeding injuries and deliberate killing by some fishermen are some anthropogenic hazards. Additionally, the hunting of eggs from foxes, dogs and rats is an extra threat and has been observed, affecting 40% of nests. The predominant predator of the small ones is the gulls, while the crabs, the big fish, etc. in the sea. Finally, garbage in the sea is another danger. In particular, plastic bags, which look like gems, can trick the turtles, which eat them and as a consequence their death is caused (WWF, 2018).

Sekania Beach is the most important spawning beach of Caretta caretta in the Mediterranean as it collects 500-1000 nests each year, i.e. more than 50% of Zakynthos, with one of the highest nesting densities in the world for the species. This beach is defined as a zone of absolute protection (WWF, 2018).

Picture 2: Sekai Beach (WWF, 2018)

As far as Monachus monachus seal is concerned, their existence is absolutely important for the Greek seas and the Mediterranean. In Greece live and reproduce about half of its global population, i.e. 250 to 300 people. Although seals spend most of its life at sea, they also use dry and inaccessible sea caves to give birth and rest. The species is observed throughout the coastal and island regions of Greece, with the exception of the Corinthian and the Amvrakikos Gulf (WWF, 2018).

Figure 3: Monachus monachus seals (IUCN Red List, 2018)

The main threats to the Mediterranean monk seal are food loss, accidental trapping in fishing activities and deliberate killing. They are, also, threatened by the degradation of coastal ecosystems, due to human activities. Still, a tangible threat to the Mediterranean seals in terms of climate change is the rise of sea level where thousands of sea caves may be lost. Finally, petroleum pollution, recreational craft harassment, noise pollution, nuisance and military drills and hydrocarbon surveys are common threats to all marine mammals (WWF, 2018).

These species are some of the endangered marine species. Other species that are hosted in the Greek seas and are at risk are four species of dolphins (bayonets, rhinoceroses, crayfish and common dolphins), cobwebs and cetaceans such as bellows, foxes, and beetles (WWF, 2018).

References

Omilo. (n.d.). Retrieved June 21, 2018, from The caretta-caretta sea turtles in Greece: https://www.omilo.com/el/%CE%B8%CE%B1%CE%BB%CE%AC%CF%83%CF%83%CE%B9%CE%B1-%CF%87%CE%B5%CE%BB%CF%8E%CE%BD%CE%B1-%CE%BA%CE%B1%CF%81%CE%AD%CF%84%CE%B1-%CE%BA%CE%B1%CF%81%CE%AD%CF%84%CE%B1/

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. (n.d.). Retrieved June 21, 2018, from IUCN Red List: http://www.iucnredlist.org/

WWF. (n.d.). Retrieved June 21, 2018, from MARINE MAMMALS: http://www.wwf.gr/endangered-species