Rigers Bakiu
The aims of the Project are:
Increasing public awareness of monk seal conservation in Ionian Coastal Areas, where mostly Sensitizing the fishermen and their organizations and Establish a monitoring system of monk seals, by activating students and young fishermen to photograph and record in cases of the exposal of this species
Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus). ©MOm/Π. Δενδρινός
The Center of Wildlife Ecology and Diseases Investigation as the unique centre of reference in Albania and part of Agricultural University of Tirana is going to implement the project proposal under the supervision of Associate Professor Rigers Bakiu with a great support from Ministry of Environment.
The geographical area of the project will be all Ionian coast, from Cape of Stillo till Karaburun Penisula and Sazan Island, which were declared by the government as Marine Protected Area (MPA) in 2010. Mediterranean Monc Seal is one of the charismatic species of the Management Plan of MPA, elaborated and funded by UNDP. No project have been implemented regarding this endangered species population in the past in Albania, while in Greece, at least two project have been implemented by sensitizing the community for their protection and developing the ecotourism. Furthermore, the use of camera traps for gathering accurately the information about their presence will also boost the tourism in the nearby regions and improve the fish recovery and biodiversity protection from the minimization of dynamite use. This is because a lot of people continue to use dynamite as a practice of illegal fishing even in the MPA of Karaburuni-Sazani and it is supposed that the camera will register even the presence of this terrorist action in the regions, where the camera will be installed. Fishermen who are performing sustainable fisheries practice will support my staff activities regarding the project.
Considering the fact that there has never been a study or a project made on this species, the assessment of both possible habitats is rather important to forerun the illegal hunting and damage of the habitats and the rocky caves where it proliferates. Together with the directory of protected areas in Vlore, we have realized advanced meetings and we have been initiated by them to ask for funds for the beginning of monitoring and protection projects on this species with high biological, touristic and cultural values.