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Hi🦈, our group is composed by Francisca Fernandes (113561), Iuri Pires (134776) and Vicente Silva (130927).

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Hi🦈, our group is composed by Francisca Fernandes (113561), Iuri Pires (134776) and Vicente Silva (130927).

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Theme: Conservation Challenges and Strategies for the Angel Shark in Coastal Zones.

We chose to focus on the Angel Shark (Squatina squatina)  since it is particularly interesting for conservation. It is a unique benthic predator that once lived widely along the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts but has now disappeared from most of its range due to fishing pressure, habitat loss, coastal development, and impacts of climate change. Protecting this species is important not only for preventing its extinction but also for maintaining the ecological balance of coastal ecosystems, where it plays a key role as a top predator and indicator of healthy benthic environments.

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This State of The Marine Environment Report of The Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, written by PERSGA in 2020 is an assessment of the status and ecological role of the coral reefs, main threats and six core areas of action for their mitigation and further conservation of the Red Sea coral reefs.

1- Integrated Coastal Zone Management

2- Education and Awareness

3- Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

4- Ecologically Sustainable Reef Fisheries

5-Shipping and Marine Pollution Control

6-Research, Monitoring and Economic Evaluation

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State of The Marine Environment Report of The Red Sea and Gulf of Aden

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New references for the conservation strategies in Portugal that will be linked to other countries in the discussion part of our report

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New references for the conservation strategies in Portugal that will be linked to other countries in the discussion part of our report

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In Portugal

Welcome to the LIFE SeagrassRIAwild Project

Tools_for_seagrass_conservation_and_mana20160227-10394-1nzs00p-libre.pdf

Frontiers | Open Coast Seagrass Restoration. Can We Do It? Large Scale Seagrass Transplants

Towards a more integrative environmental assessment: Infauna as tool for Zostera marina conservation management | PLOS One

Seagrasses in coastal wetlands of the Algarve region (southern Portugal): Past and present distribution and extent - ScienceDirect

Resurgence of Zostera marina in the Ria de Aveiro lagoon, Portugal - ScienceDirect

Ecosystem-based management planning across aquatic realms at the Ria de Aveiro Natura 2000 territory - ScienceDirect

An integrated approach for the design of a marine protected area network applied to mainland Portugal - ScienceDirect

https://eunis.eea.europa.eu/

Out of Portugal

Restoring Eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) Habitats Using a Simple and Effective Transplanting Technique | PLOS One

Frontiers | Where, when, how and what seagrass to transplant for long lasting results in transitional water systems: the cases of Cymodocea nodosa, Zostera marina, Zostera noltei and Ruppia cirrhosa

Seed‐ versus transplant‐based eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) restoration success in a temperate marine lake - Cronau - 2023 - Restoration Ecology - Wiley Online Library

Restoration of seagrass habitat leads to rapid recovery of coastal ecosystem services

A new marine measure enhancing Zostera marina seed germination and seedling survival - ScienceDirect

Seed‐ versus transplant‐based eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) restoration success in a temperate marine lake - Cronau - 2023 - Restoration Ecology - Wiley Online Library

Comparison of seasonal growth responses of Zostera marina transplants to determine the optimal transplant season for habitat restoration - ScienceDirect

Effects of Restoration Through Nature-Based Solution on Benthic Biodiversity: A Case Study in a Northern Adriatic Lagoon | MDPI

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EUNIS provides access to: Information on Species, Habitat types and Sites taken into account in relevant international conventions or from International Red Lists; Specific data collected in the framework of the EEA's reporting activities, which also constitute a core set of data to be updated periodically.

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Here is the index of our report about the Conservation of Zostera marina along the Portuguese Coast

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Here is the index of our report about the Conservation of Zostera marina along the Portuguese Coast

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1. Introduction

2. Threats and Impacts on Zostera marina

1. Threats

2. Impacts

3. Conservation Strategies in Portugal

1. Legal, Policy, and Institutional Framework for Seagrass Conservation

2. Protected Areas as a Conservation Tool

3. Monitoring and Adaptive Management within Protected Areas

4. Restoration strategies in Portugal

5. Role of Local Stakeholders and Scientific Institutions

4. Discussion

1. Limits and challenges for conservation in Portugal

2. Measures to Improve Conservation in Portugal

5. Conclusion

6. References

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Resumo Gráfico - Rugulopterys okamurae _20251213_222919_0000

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Namibia restructuring fisheries department; new fisheries minister fired after a month on the job

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Namibia restructuring fisheries department; new fisheries minister fired after a month on the job

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Namibia restructuring fisheries department; new fisheries minister fired after a month on the job

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Namibia’s recently appointed fisheries minister was fired less than 30 days into the job after being accused of raping a 16-year-old girl.

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Namibia approves strict bycatch regulations

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Namibia approves strict bycatch regulations

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Namibia approves strict bycatch regulations

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Namibia has approved strict measures to reduce bycatch across its various fisheries.

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O nosso grupo é constituído pela Daniela Estanqueiro (130540), Beatriz Robalo (131192) e Sara Martins (131264).

Tema: “ Rugulopteryx okamurae e os Desafios das Zonas Costeira”

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Descrição do avanço implacável da alga invasora asiática, a Rugulopteryx okamurae, que devasta a costa espanhola e a biodiversidade local.

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A single 'Rugulopteryx okamurae' can form up to 600 copies of itself, and its steady advance shows no signs of slowing, with devastating effects for local biodiversity

The invasive Asian algae 'Rugulopteryx okamurae' in Mijas (Málaga), last May. María Altamirano Jeschke

An army of Rugulopteryx okamurae, an invasive Asian algae detected in 2015 in the Spanish exclave city of Ceuta, is advancing relentlessly along the coast, producing clones by the thousands and devastating biodiversity. This species, native to the Asian Pacific coasts, was seen in 2016 in Tarifa and Algeciras, on the southern tip of the Spanish mainland, and by now "its presence has been detected in all coastal communities except for the Balearic Islands," says María Altamirano, who teaches botany at the University of Málaga and serves as vice president of the Spanish Society of Phycology, which studies algae.

The algae smothering a gorgonian sea fan. María Altamirano Jeschke

Their advance shows no signs of slowing, driven by their adaptive and reproductive capacity. A single individual is capable of forming up to 600 new ones, and in posidonia meadows, the scientist's team has estimated that there may be between 1,000 and 3,000 per square meter. And although they don't wipe out the posidonia (also known as Neptune's grass), at least not in the short term, they do wipe out the entire rich community associated with these habitats. "It's as if a forest were left with only the trees," explains the biologist.

The species survives through clonal mechanisms; sexual reproduction has not been observed. "The plants grow hundreds of tiny miniature algae on top of themselves, which break off and form new algae, like little people, and so on in asexual cycles that occur six times a year," says Altamirano. In its native range, however, a new individual takes two years to form.

"There isn't enough seabed to support such a large load of algae," warns Altamirano. This problem leads them to believe that a large portion of the newly emerging individuals fail to attach to the seabed and form the huge amounts of biomass - known as arribazones - that end up on the beach and cause a significant socioeconomic impact. In the town of Tarifa alone, a popular destination for surfers and one of the most affected areas, the Andalusian regional government estimates that the cost of algae removal and the reduction of fishing catches amounts to $3 million annually. In this southern region of Spain, the algae has been detected from Punta Negra (Almería) in the east to Puerto Sherry (Málaga) in the west.

"Last year was horrible. We removed 12,500 tons of seaweed, because everything that comes out of the sea is considered solid urban waste, and cleanup is the city's responsibility," confirms Ignacio Trujillo, coordinator of Tarifa's Tourism and Cultural Development Department. Another problem is that they don't know when the algae will be washed up on the beach, and its amount can't be controlled, "so we can't make a forecast."

Adding to this is the impact on the local fishing industry. "It's amazing to see how they pull out their nets; they often have to break them," Trujillo points out. "In 2015, our colleagues who worked with trammel nets and bottom-line fishing noticed a new algae, but no one from the government paid any attention," explains Manuel Suárez, a fisherman, shipowner, and president of the Tarifa Fishermen's Association. He adds that authorities didn't start to worry until it affected tourism and the hospitality industry. "But by then it had already gotten out of hand."

To continue fishing, they now use computer applications that locate spots with "less wind, less current, and therefore less algae." But even so, their fishing days have been reduced. "This is a bomb, an environmental disaster worse than the Prestige [an oil tanker spill in 2002]. We're fishing less because the algae suffocates the species and they move to other areas," he explains. The only thing keeping them going is the tuna season, because they catch them on the surface where there is no seaweed, which is why they're asking for a larger quota. "But the seabed is covered by football fields' worth of algae, and the reefs and rocks are also covered and cannot be seen."

Among the negative effects, the Andalusian regional government's Department of Sustainability and Environment points out that it affects demersal species, those that feed on or near the bottom such as turbon, monkfish and sole, and "drastically" alters the habitat due to the amount of suspended algae that reduces water transparency.

This is the fourth time an invasive algae has arrived in the area of the Strait of Gibraltar. "There were three other virulent invasions, which severely affected the system and likely paved the way for Rugulopteryx," Altamirano explains. This will continue to happen, she adds, "as long as we continue to receive large merchant ships arriving directly from Asia in the Strait and ballast water [the water pumped into a ship's tanks to maintain its buoyancy and stability] is not adequately controlled, as required."

The International Maritime Organization's BWM Convention requires that this water be exchanged in the open sea, 200 nautical miles from the coast and at a depth of at least 200 meters. This ensures fewer organisms survive and prevents the introduction of new exotic species.

Ballast water in maritime traffic

Hypotheses suggest that the algae arrived due to large-scale maritime traffic bound for ports along the Strait. Its secondary dispersal has been caused by ocean currents and the movements of smaller vessels such as ferries, fishing boats and recreational boats, among other causes, according to the Andalusian regional government's Department of Sustainability and Environment.

After 10 years, the Asian seaweed has reached parts of northern Spain like Galicia, Cantabria, Asturias, and even the Canary Islands off the western coast of Africa, as scientific predictive models indicated in 2019. And these are the known places, because the Moroccan coast is also invaded and its fishing sector is severely impacted, "but nothing is known about those areas." The eastern limit of its distribution is in the Adriatic Sea between Italy and the Balkans, and on the northern African coast it is likely that it has gained a foothold in Algeria, Tunisia, and maybe even Libya, warns Altamirano.

In Spain's northeastern region of Catalonia, meanwhile, the species was detected last year in low abundance. "We were fortunate to find them in an early stage," says María García, a biologist at the Blanes Center for Advanced Studies (CEAB-CSIC) and responsible for monitoring invasive algae on the Catalan coast. Last week, they began sweeping the northern part of Cape Creus. "They've expanded a little, but not with the same progression as in the Strait, the Canary Islands or Galicia." This doesn't mean they won't be abundant next year, because in other places like Portugal and Palermo, it took Rugulopteryx okamurae one or two years to make dramatic increases. They were also found in the area of the port of Barcelona, both in the commercial and Olympic ports, and along the Costa Brava.

Eradicating the species is an impossible task in a territory as vast as the ocean, and they could be anywhere. "This is just the tip of the iceberg; it's the authorities that need to make the effort, but until the beaches are rotten with algae, they don't do anything, and sometimes not even in those cases," says Altamirano.
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The Andalusian Department of Sustainability and Environment has just authorized a scientific project to study the agricultural use of algae as a fertilizer and sustainable agricultural biostimulant, with a view to using the seaweed that washes up on the coast. This initiative is part of a management plan that is currently being finalized.

More information

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The unstoppable clone army of invasive Asian seaweed ravaging the Spanish coast

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A single 'Rugulopteryx okamurae' can form up to 600 copies of itself, and its steady advance shows no signs of slowing, with devastating effects for local biodiversity

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Our group:

Joana Muas 130439

Daniela Alvarado 130887

Clara Gomes 131284

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We are going to talk about the endangered mediterranean monk seal in the Archipelago of Madeira vs. Cabo Blanco.

The relevance of this topic lies in its potential to exemplify how human presence can have an impact on the development of a species and how difficult it is to rehabilitate said species. The mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) is a marine mammal, which inhabits beaches and coastal zones. As a top predator, seals play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem and the health of marine food webs.

We chose this topic due to its importance in marine ecosystems and because we wanted to compare the conservation trajectory of both populations at Madeira and Cabo Blanco. After conducting research, we came to the conclusion that presenting the work on Mediterranean monk seal conservation aligned perfectly with both the task proposed to this assignment and our personal interest in marine mammals conservation, which boosts our motivation to pursue this work.

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This graphical abstract presents all threats and impacts that affect monk seals populations. We can divide them in two groups: human actions and biological events. In human pressures we have: impacts of fisheries, litter in the ocean and beaches, microplastic and coastal development. Biological events are considered consequences for the species and natural events that impact it. In the consequences part, we have: low food availability, reproductive rate changes, low number of male individuals, low genetic diversity and low offspring survival rate. In natural impacts, we have: toxic algae blooms and cave colapse.

Hence, it's important we reduce these pressures so we don't end up losing this species.

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Most recent conservation projects at Cabo Blanco

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Most recent conservation projects at Cabo Blanco

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The "Mediterranean Monk Seal Conservation Program at Cap Blanc" is an ongoing project focusing on improving the species' conservation status, get support from the public and extend the population across the Atlantic.

Previously, the "Protection of the mediterranean monk seal colony of the Cabo Blanco Peninsula in Mauritania", also took place and concluded in 2016, focusing on surveillance to prevent human threats and train locals and coast guards in order to create awareness.

https://www.fondationsegre.org/protection-of-the-mediterranean-monk-seal-colony-of-the-cabo-blanco-peninsula-in-mauritania/

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Over the past 20 years, concerted efforts have seen the Cabo Blanco monk seal population soar from a mere 100 individuals to over 350, with annual pup production rising from 26 to an impressive 80 births. These achievements, made possible through meticulous conservation strategies, underscore the importance of sustained dedication to protecting our natural heritage.

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Most recent conservation projects in Madeira

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Most recent conservation projects in Madeira

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The VECLAM project is the most recent and still ongoing conservation project in Madeira and takes off from the advances from the last project "Project Life Madeira Monk Seal", which concluded in 2019 proposing an action plan for future measurements.

Project Life Madeira Monk Seal:

https://www.lifemadeiramonkseal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Eng_Laymans-report-LIFE-MADEIRA.pdf

Both projects share similar goals, which are the monitoring of the species in their most relevant habitats, use of effective conservation tactics, involvement of the community of Madeira and use of citizen science, mitigation of threats and rehabilitation of more suitable habitats.

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Abstract- The ecological imbalance caused by bycatch in industrial fisheries

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Bycatch and discarding in the South African demersal trawl fishery

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Bycatch and discarding in the South African demersal trawl fishery

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South African sharks threatened by fisheries, weak enforcement

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South African sharks threatened by fisheries, weak enforcement

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South African sharks threatened by fisheries, weak enforcement

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Gqeberha, SOUTH AFRICA - On June 17, marine biologist Enrico Gennari and a group of students set out into the water in South Africa's Mossel Bay. They were planning to use baited remote underwater video cameras to monitor fish populations near the modest port, when they spotted the bright yellow and orange hull of the [...]

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Espécies de algas invasoras na costa portuguesa

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Nutrient enrichment

Feng, L., Wang, Y., Hou, X. et al. Harmful algal blooms in inland waters. Nat Rev Earth Environ 5, 631–644 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43017-024-00578-2

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Amêijoa-japonesa em discussão em Peniche e Lagoa de Óbidos

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A amêijoa-japonesa (Ruditapes philippinarum) é uma espécie de bivalve originária do Oceano Pacífico (Filipinas, China, Japão, Taiwan). Pensa-se que foi introduzida em Portugal na Ria Formosa nos anos 80, com o objetivo de ser produzida para alimentação. Local onde as suas populações nunca viriam a desenvolver muito devido à sua dependência de input de água-doce. Hoje, esta espécie exótica invasora encontra-se presente nos estuários do Mondego, Tejo e Sado, na Ria de Aveiro e nas lagoas costeiras de Óbidos e Albufeira.

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Age-specific survival and reproductive rates of Mediterranean monk seals at the Cabo Blanco Peninsula, West Africa

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Age-specific survival and reproductive rates of Mediterranean monk seals at the Cabo Blanco Peninsula, West Africa

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Mediterranean monk seals at the Cabo Blanco

Peninsula, West Africa

In this article, we found information about survival and reproductive rates for monk seals population in the Cabo Blanco.

We see a trend to an increase of survival rate with years, except between first and second years.

Adult individuals show high survival rates for both sexes although the values are slightly higher for female individuals.

Reproductive rate is high and they start to reproduce at 3 years old and exceeded the 80% of reproduction rate between 6-17 yrs.

It's important to know this, so we can apply correctly and more efficient conservation measures

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Age-specific survival and reproductive rates

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Hi! Our group is composed of Arianna Cocci (130142), Vitoria Lensi (130386) and Filipa Bernardino (134875).

We chose to explore Zostera noltei meadows because they represent a key component of Portuguese coastal ecosystems, particularly the Ria de Aveiro. These seagrass meadows play a crucial role in sediment stabilization, biodiversity protection, and blue carbon sequestration, thus contributing to climate change mitigation. However, in recent decades, their extent has decreased significantly due to anthropogenic pressures and environmental changes.

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Marine Ecology - 2010 - Cabaço - Reproduction of the eelgrass Zostera marina at the species southern distributional limit

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Current status, biology, threats and conservation

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Current status, biology, threats and conservation

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This paper highlights the priorities of the Vulnerable Mediterranean monk seal.

The species is one of the most vulnerable marine mammals in the world and has done an incredible recovery over the last decades.

Main threats:

Terrestrial and marine habitat loss resulting in occupation of unsuitable habitats

Negative interactions with fisheries

Unpredictable threats (cave collapses and mass mortality events)

Pollution

Priority conservation strategies:

Strengthening the legal

framework for the protection of habitats

Effective protection of the species and its terrestrial and marine habitat

Scientific population and habitat monitoring

Rescue and rehabilitation of pups to increase neonatal survival rates

Public awareness and education

Monitoring and mitigating negative seal–fishery

interactions

Expansion of the species’ current geographic range in the Atlantic Ocean

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Hi everyone! ☺️ We are Inês Costa (nº131140), Marta Gamito (nº112797) and Vasco Oliveira (nº113024), and our group will focus on the impacts of ocean warming and eutrophication in Posidonia oceanica meadows in the Mediterranean Sea.

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Invasive Species - the aliens reshaping our shores!

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Invasive Species 101 | National Geographic

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The threat of invasive species - Jennifer Klos

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Efeitos da poluição agrícola nos recifes de coral 

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Efeitos da poluição agrícola nos recifes de coral 

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How agricultural pollution affects our Great Barrier Reef

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Invasive Algae Species on the Portuguese Coast

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Invasive Algae Species on the Portuguese Coast

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Olá a todos! We are Simão Bambino, nº130938, Carolina Lopes, nº113189, Iara Rocha nº112854 and Ricardo Amador nº114336.

We will be focusing on Rugulopteryx okamurae, Caulerpa prolifera and Sargassum muticum. These species have rapidly spread across European waters, including the Iberian Peninsula, due to human activities such as maritime transport and aquaculture.

Their expansion represents a major ecological concern, as these algae can outcompete native species, alter marine habitats, and disrupt local biodiversity. In addition, they can have economic impacts on fisheries, tourism, and coastal management by accumulating on beaches and affecting ecosystem services.

The choice of this topic is especially relevant today because invasive species are a growing global problem intensified by climate change and globalization. Understanding their biology, spread, and ecological consequences is crucial for developing effective monitoring and management strategies to protect the Portuguese coastal ecosystems.

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Monk Seal- IFCN ( Instituto das Florestas e Conservação da Natureza)

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Monk Seal- IFCN ( Instituto das Florestas e Conservação da Natureza)

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IFCN ( Monk seal) official website. - Last Updated on June 2023

Highlights:

The mediterranean monk seal is the rarest seal in the world;

The conservation of this species started in 1988 in Madeira

In the Atlantic Ocean, there are 2 sub-populations of monk seals: the Madeira sub-population, composed of 22 individuals (2021 data) and the Cabo Branco sub-population (Mauritania), composed of 380 individuals (2021 data).

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Instituto das Florestas e da Conservação da Natureza, IP-RAM

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O Lobo-marinho ou Foca-monge-do-mediterrâneo, nome científico: Monachus monachus (Hermann, 1779), é um mamífero marinho que ocorre em Portugal, mais concretamente no Arquipélago da Madeira. Esta espécie da família das focas (Phocidae), é a foca mais rara do mundo.

Projetos de conservação

A conservação do lobo-marinho no Arquipélago da Madeira, teve início em 1988, através de ações desenvolvidas pelo outrora Serviço do Parque Natural da Madeira, a instituição do Governo Regional da Madeira responsável pela conservação da natureza à data. Nesta altura, estimou-se que apenas existiria 6-8 indivíduos na população de lobos-marinhos da Madeira. Este programa de conservação, motivou a proteção legal das Ilhas Desertas em 1990, que atualmente têm o estatuto de Reserva Natural das Ilhas Desertas, o principal habitat do lobo-marinho.

Até 2014, o trabalho de conservação mantido até então, levou a crer que a população de lobos-marinhos tinha crescido para os 40 indivíduos. No entanto, em 2019, a nova metodologia aplicada no projeto LIFE Madeira Lobo-Marinho (LIFE13 NAT/ES/000974 Madeira lobo-marinho), veio revelar que a colónia era composta apenas por 21 indivíduos (dados de 2018). Este projeto, culminou na apresentação de uma Estratégia para a Conservação do Lobo-marinho no Arquipélago da Madeira.

Em 2021, teve início o mais recente projeto de conservação do lobo-marinho - o projeto VECLAM - "Vigilância do estado de conservação do lobo-marinho no arquipélago da Madeira", financiado pela Monk Seal Alliance - com duração até 2024, que pretende dar continuidade à conservação desta espécie e do seu habitat, e aumentar o conhecimento acerca da mesma.
DESCRIÇÃO DA ESPÉCIE ESTATUTO LEGAL PRINCIPAIS AÇÕES EM CURSO O QUE FAZER QUANDO OBSERVA UM LOBO-MARINHO? PUBLICAÇÕES DE INTERESSE LINKS ÚTEIS
OBJETIVOS

O IFNC, IP-RAM pretende contribuir para a conservação do lobo-marinho no Arquipélago da Madeira, ao assegurar a proteção desta espécie e do seu habitat, promovendo assim o crescimento da população de lobos-marinhos na região.

Distribuição

A população mundial de lobos-marinhos está estimada em cerca de 750 indivíduos, distribuídos pelo Mar Mediterrâneo e Oceano Atlântico, sendo no Atlântico onde se encontram as maiores sub-populações.

No Oceano Atlântico, existem 2 sub-populações de lobos-marinhos: a da Madeira, composta por 22 indivíduos (dados de 2021) e a de Cabo Branco (Mauritânia), composta por 380 indivíduos (dados de 2021).

A população de lobos-marinhos da Madeira, tem tido um crescimento muito reduzido, sendo que a média de recrutamento de novos indivíduos na população, é de 2 indivíduos/ano.

Habitat

O lobo-marinho é uma espécie totalmente adaptada ao meio marinho, onde realiza diversas atividades fundamentais à sua existência, entre as quais: alimentação, acasalamento, descanso (faz pequenas sestas à superfície e debaixo de água) e socialização( brincar e explorar).

A espécie ocorre frequentemente junta à costa, e sobre fundos até os 200 m de profundidade, mas pode deslocar-se até algumas milhas da zona costeira, e mergulhar até os 400 m de profundidade.

Embora passe muito do seu tempo na água, esta espécie também precisa e depende de terra para repousar, parir e cuidar das crias. Para tal, ocupa principalmente praias abrigadas dentro de grutas, podendo também repousar em praias abertas.

Dieta

O lobo-marinho alimenta-se principalmente de peixe, cefalópodes e crustáceos. Em predação é capaz de fazer mergulhos com apneias que podem durar até 15 minutos, sendo uma espécie predadora oportunista, que captura alimento em fundos rochosos e baixios próximos da costa.

Reprodução

Os lobos-marinhos acasalam dentro de água no mar. O lobo-marinho atinge a maturidade sexual aos 3-4 anos, mas na população da Madeira, as fêmeas atingem a maturidade sexual por volta dos 6-7 anos, e 50% não tem crias todos os anos. Após um período de 9 meses, cada fêmea dá à luz a 1 cria, e em média, nascem por ano 4 crias na colónia. No entanto, 62% das crias morrem antes de atingir 1 ano de vida.

Na Madeira, a época de nascimentos de lobo-marinho ocorre em outubro-novembro, sendo a altura em que se observam mais animais em terra, juntos em colónia, a cuidar das crias durantes os primeiros meses de vida.

As crias são amamentadas durante 4 meses e, quando fortalecidas, experimentam as suas primeiras natações, sempre acompanhadas pelo olhar atento das progenitoras, e as primeiras brincadeiras/aprendizagens entre crias e outros elementos da colónia.

Longevidade

Os dados recolhidos acerca desta espécie na Madeira, indicam que a idade média de vida dos lobos-marinhos é entre os 20-25 anos.

Morfologia

O lobo-marinho é uma das maiores espécies de foca existentes, e a sua morfologia varia consideravelmente ao longo da sua vida.

As crias nascem com um aspeto lanoso, de cor negra, e uma mancha umbilical amarelada, que se torna progressivamente mais branca, com o avançar dos dias. Nascem com cerca de 80-120 cm de comprimento e pesam entre 15-20 kg. Nesta idade, é facilmente distinguível o sexo do indivíduo, através do formato da mancha umbilical (formato retangular nas fêmeas, e formato borboleta nos machos).

A posição do orifício genital, também é um bom indicador do sexo do lobo-marinho. Nos machos encontra-se logo abaixo do umbigo, onde possuem o pénis recolhido, e nas fêmeas encontra-se debaixo da cauda, próximo do ânus. As fêmeas apresentam ainda 4 mamilos à volta do umbigo.

À medida que crescem, a coloração do pêlo torna-se mais acinzentada, e a mancha umbilical outrora muito evidente, dá lugar a uma zona ventral totalmente branca. Começam a adquirir as primeiras cicatrizes, que se tornam numerosas na idade adulta, em especial nas fêmeas. Geralmente, os machos apresentam são maiores do que as fêmeas.

Em idade adulta, os lobos-marinhos atingem à volta de 3 m, e podem pesar cerca de 300 kg.

AMEAÇAS

Na natureza, as populações podem ser impactadas negativamente por fatores de origem humana ou natural, estes são classificados como pressões - se estão a ocorrer no presente/tempo atual - ou ameaças - quando se prevê que ocorram no futuro.

Na população de lobos-marinhos do arquipélago da Madeira, estão identificadas as seguintes pressões e ameaças:

Pressões de origem humana: pesca comercial e atividades turísticas e de lazer.

Pressões de origem natural: mortalidade de crias e disponibilidade de recursos alimentares.

Ameaças: número reduzido de machos na população, baixa variabilidade genética, degradação do habitat, aquacultura e pesca lúdica.

ESTATUTO LEGAL

Considerada pela IUCN (2015) como uma espécie ameaçada, o lobo-marinho e o seu habitat são protegidos legalmente por legislação regional, nacional e internacional.

Listado nos Anexos I da Convenção de Berna, Anexos I e II da Convenção de Bona, Anexo II da Convenção de Barcelona, Apêndice I e II da Convenção sobre Diversidade Biológica e nos Anexos II e IV da Diretiva Habitats.

Regionalmente, o lobo-marinho e o seu habitat são também protegidos pelos seguintes regulamentos: Decreto Legislativo 6/86/M de 30 de maio, que regula a Proteção de Mamíferos Marinhos na Zona Costeira e Subárea 2 da Zona Económica Exclusiva Portuguesa (ZEE Madeira); e Decreto Legislativo Regional n.º 15/2013/M de 14 de maio de 2013, que regulamenta a Atividade de Observação de Vertebrados Marinhos na Região Autónoma da Madeira.

PRINCIPAIS AÇÕES EM CURSO

A população de lobos-marinhos e o seu habitat são monitorizados continuamente ao longo do ano, de forma a acompanhar o sucesso reprodutor da colónia, e antever possíveis ameaças inerentes ao retorno da população à Ilha da Madeira, outrora o seu habitat.

Estas ações são acompanhadas de um programa de sensibilização, projetado para abranger toda a comunidade madeirense da Ilha da Madeira e de Porto Santo, em especial a comunidade que está diretamente relacionada com o mar.

O lobo-marinho e o seu principal habitat usufruem ainda de uma vigilância atenta da parte do IFCN, como entidade fiscalizadora, realizada pelos Vigilantes da Natureza, com principal enfoco na Reserva Natural das Ilhas Desertas.

O QUE FAZER QUANDO OBSERVA UM LOBO-MARINHO?

PUBLICAÇÕES DE INTERESSE

Projeto LIFE MADEIRA LOBO-MARINHO: Layman´s Report - LIFE13 NAT/ES/000974 (PT) (EN)

Estratégia de Conservação do lobo-marinho na Madeira

Resolução n.º 916/2020 de 17 de novembro - Aprova a Estratégia para a Conservação do Lobo-marinho no Arquipélago da Madeira para o período 2020-2032

Decreto Legislativo 6/86/M, de 30 de maio - Proteção de Mamíferos Marinhos na Zona Costeira e Subárea 2 da Zona Económica Exclusiva Portuguesa (ZEE Madeira)

Decreto Legislativo Regional n.º 15/2013/M, de 14 de maio de 2013 - Atividade de Observação de Vertebrados Marinhos na Região Autónoma da Madeira

Karamanlidis, A.; Pires, R.; Neves, H. C. & C. Santos. 2003 Habitat of the endangered Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) at São Lourenço - Madeira. Aquatic Mammals 29 (3): 400-403.

Karamanlidis, A.; Pires, R.; Silva, N. & H. C. Neves. 2004 The availability of resting and pupping habitat for the critically endangered Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) in the Archipelago of Madeira. Oryx 38(2): 1-6.

Pires, R., Costa Neves, H. & A. Karamanlidis, 2007. Activity Patterns of the Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachus monachus) in the Archipelago of Madeira. Aquatic Mammals 2007, 33(3): 327-336.

Pires, R., Costa Neves, H. & A. Karamanlidis, 2008. The Critically Endangered Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus in the archipelago of Madeira: priorities for conservation. Oryx, 42(2): 278-285.

Karamanlidis, A.A.; Androukak,i E.; Adamantopoulou, S.; Chatzispyrou, A.; Johnson, W.; Kotomatas, S.; Papadopoulos, A.; Paravas, V.; Paximadis, G.; Pires, R., Tounta, E. & P. Dendrinos, 2008 Assessing accidental entanglement as a threat to the Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus. Endang Species Res 5:205-213

R. Hale, 2009. Interacção da foca-monge (Monachus monachus) com as diversas artes de pesca da Região Autónoma da Madeira. Dissertação submetida à Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Biologia.

R. Hale, R. Pires, P. Santos, & A. A. Karamanlidis, 2011. Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachus monachus): Fishery Interactions in the Archipelago of Madeira. Aquatic Mammals, Volume 37, Number 3: 298-305

Karamanlidis, A.A., Dendrinos, P., Fernández De Larrinoa, P., Güçü, A.C. Johnson, W.M. Kiraç, C.O. & Pires, R. (2015). The Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus: status, biology, threats, and conservation priorities. Mammal Review, 45(4), 1-14.

Karamanlidis A.A, Gaughran S, Aguilar A, Dendrinos P, Huber D, Pires R, Schultz J, Skrbinšek T, Amato G. (2016). Shaping species conservation strategies using mtDNA analysis: The case of the elusive Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus). Biological Conservation 193: 71-79

Dayon J, Lecompte E, Aguilar A, Larrinoa P, Pires R & Gaubert P (2020) Development and characterization of nineteen microsatellite loci for the endangered Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus. Mar. Biodivers. 50, 67.

Rey-Iglesia A, Gaubert P, Espregueira Themudo G, Pires R, De La Fuente C, Freitas L, Aguilar A, Borrell A, Krakhmalnaya T, Vasconcelos R, & Campos PF (2020). Mitogenomics of the endangered Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) reveals dramatic loss of diversity and supports historical gene-flow between Atlantic and eastern Mediterranean populations. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society.

Salmona J., Dayon J., Lecompte E., Karamanlidis A.A., Aguilar A., de Larrinoa P.F., Pires R., Mo, G., Agnesi S., Borrell A., Danyer E., Öztürk B., Tonay A.M., González L.M., Dendrinos P., Gaubert P., (2021). The antique genetic plight of the Mediterranean monk seal ( Monachus monachus ). bioRxiv.

Valsecchi E., Coppola E., Pires R., Parmegiani A., Casiraghi M., Galli P., Bruno A., (2021). Newly developed ad hoc molecular assays show how eDNA can witness and anticipate the monk seal recolonization of central Mediterranean. bioRxiv.

Salmona, J., Dayon, J., Lecompte, E., Karamanlidis, A.A., Aguilar, A., Fernandez de Larrinoa, P., Pires, R., Mo, G., Panou, A., Agnesi, S., Borrell, A., Danyer, E., Öztürk, B., Tonay, A.M., Anestis, A.K., González, L.M., Dendrinos, P., Gaubert, P., (2022). The antique genetic plight of the Mediterranean monk seal ( Monachus monachus ). Proc. R. Soc. B. 289, 20220846.

Grilo et al. (2022). MAMMALS IN PORTUGAL : A data set of terrestrial, volant, and marine mammal occurrences in Portugal. Ecology.

Valsecchi E., Coppola E., Pires R., Parmegiani A., Casiraghi M., Galli P., Bruno A. (2022). A species-specific qPCR assay provides novel insight into range expansion of the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) by means of eDNA analysis. Biodivers Conserv.

McIvor, A.J., Pires, R., Lopes, C., Raimundo, J., Campos, P.F., Pais, M.P., Canning-Clode, J., Dinis, A. (2023). Assessing microplastic exposure of the Critically Endangered Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) on a remote oceanic island. Science of The Total Environment 856, 159077.

LINKS ÚTEIS
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Vídeo LIFE Madeira Monk Seal IFCN Publicações, Livro " O Lobo-marinho no Arquipélago da Madeira"
Coordenação do projeto

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O Lobo-marinho ou Foca-monge-do-mediterrâneo, nome científico: Monachus monachus (Hermann, 1779), é um mamífero marinho que ocorre em Portugal, mais concretamente no Arquipélago da Madeira. Esta espécie da família das focas (Phocidae), é a foca mais rara do mundo.

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Food web of the oceanic region of the archipelago of Madeira: The role of marine megafauna in the subtropical northeast Atlantic ecosystem: 

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Food web of the oceanic region of the archipelago of Madeira: The role of marine megafauna in the subtropical northeast Atlantic ecosystem: 

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Highlights:

Top predators can be used as bioindicators of their ecosystem because they show responses to changes in their environment, either through adaptation or sustainability;

How are these changes identified: movements, population dynamics and diet;

Top predators are key species in top-down regulation.

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SeaStory: An Interactive Visual Novel to Raise Awareness About the Monk Seal

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SeaStory: An Interactive Visual Novel to Raise Awareness About the Monk Seal

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The Mediterranean monk seal continues to face growing threats from human activities that disrupt marine ecosystems. Adolescents are a key demographic for fostering long-term environmental awareness, as they are in a formative stage of developing values and behaviors.

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Impacto da eutrofização nas zonas costeiras 

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Impacto da eutrofização nas zonas costeiras 

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https://marine.copernicus.eu/pt/explainers/phenomena-threats/eutrophication

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Efeito de microplásticos na população de focas monge na Madeira

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Efeito de microplásticos na população de focas monge na Madeira

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https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969722061769

This paper talks about microsplastic pollution in ecosystems where monk seals live.

Highlights:

1. Microplastics are present in great amounts in monk seals and they can be different in composition.

2. It was the first evaulation of this type of pollution in the Atlantic

3. Physiology effects are still unknown but knowing they exist it's the first step to study their pathways and try to reduce this pollution.

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Alga invasora apareceu em Portugal em 2019

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​Chegada a Portugal: Foi detetada pela primeira vez em Portugal em 2019 (em São Miguel, Açores), suspeitando-se que tenha chegado nas águas de lastro ou nos cascos de navios.

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Alga invasora apareceu em Portugal em 2019 e não há forma de a controlar

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Alga invasora apareceu em Portugal em 2019 e não há forma de a controlar

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A macroalga invasora “Rugulopteryx okamurae” foi detetada pela primeira vez em Portugal em 2019, em S. Miguel, e está já nas costas do continente, especialmente no Algarve e em Cascais, desconhecendo-se forma de a controlar.

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O estudo mostra que a alga invasora Rugulopteryx okamurae está a transformar os fundos rochosos do noroeste do Mediterrâneo. Esta espécie cobre totalmente o substrato, substitui algas nativas e reduz a biodiversidade de algas e invertebrados. Como resultado, as comunidades tornam-se mais pobres e mais homogéneas.

Os autores classificam-na como uma espécie-transformadora, porque altera profundamente a estrutura e funcionamento do ecossistema bentónico. A alga também demonstra grande resistência a condições adversas, o que facilita a sua expansão contínua.

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O estudo avalia o impacto da alga invasora Rugulopteryx okamurae na costa sudoeste de Portugal. Desde 2021, a espécie tornou-se dominante em Sagres, cobrindo mais de 90% do substrato rochoso. Esta ocupação massiva provocou uma forte redução da biodiversidade, alterou a composição de algas, invertebrados e peixes, e levou à homogeneização do habitat. Algumas espécies de peixes aumentaram, mas a maioria dos organismos bentónicos sofreu declínio. O trabalho conclui que a invasão está a transformar profundamente o ecossistema local, exigindo monitorização e medidas de gestão.

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Here you will find attached our group's final report, exploring the Impacts of Sea warming and Eutrophication in Posidonia oceanica meadows in the Mediterranean Sea. We hope you like it and find it interesting!

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Guia ilustrado das algas da costa portuguesa disponível em: https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia5040176

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Universidade de Coimbra lança guia ilustrado das algas da costa portuguesa

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Elaborado por Leonel Pereira, professor da Universidade de Coimbra, o guia inventaria e detalha as principais macroalgas da costa atlântica continental portuguesa.

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Zostera marina in Portugal 3 slides powerpoint

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Fisheries ministry, industry to meet over new bycatch rules

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Fisheries ministry, industry to meet over new bycatch rules

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Fisheries ministry, industry to meet over new bycatch rules

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The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform will this week meet with fishing industry players to iron out concerns over the recently imposed bycatch […]

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news: Terra ultrapassa primeiro “ponto sem retorno” com morte de corais tropicais

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news: Terra ultrapassa primeiro “ponto sem retorno” com morte de corais tropicais

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Comparison of the rates of reef contacts made by recreational SCUBA divers from low Green Fins compliance diver operators versus high Green Fins compliance dive operators.

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Graphic taken from the previous paper (Roche et al., 2016) which shows that the implementation and compliance of Green Fins approach effects the amount of reef contacts made by divers.

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Another impact on coral reefs is the amount of sunscreen entering the water. An estimate of 14.000 tons of sunscreen containing toxic ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate enters the water every year, which can cause bleaching and deformities and therefore harm the reefs and the ecosystem and ultimately economies depending on it.

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Summer is the time for beach trips and swimming, and often a sunburn or two. Lathering up with sunscreen is one way to protect against the sun's scorching rays, but it also has an unintended consequence we are only now learning about. When swimmers jump into the ocean, rivers, and lakes, some of the sunscreen they've applied to their skin washes off into the water. It is estimated that roughly 14,000 tons of sunscreen enters waterways across the globe every year from both sunscreen applications and wastewater runoff. In shallow areas that are popular with swimmers, significant amounts of sunscreen can accumulate in the water. Now, evidence shows it could be harming ocean life.

The key to sunscreen's sun blocking power is a list of molecules that either absorb or repel the ultraviolet (UV) rays. Most sunscreens contain molecules that protect against the skin cancer causing UVA rays and the sunburn causing UVB rays. The sun-blocking capabilities of these molecules were discovered and used in sunscreen starting in the 1950s as a replacement to the thick petroleum-based sunscreens developed the decade before. Both titanium dioxide, a UVB blocker, and zinc oxide, a UVA blocker, are naturally occurring minerals that have sun blocking capabilities, and both were first used in these second-generation sunscreen products. But one draw-back to mineral based sunscreens is that they are also a naturally white pigment, and application causes an undesirable chalky skin color. Sunscreen companies were already well on their way testing lab-based molecules that could absorb UV rays without the chalkiness, and by the 1980s new molecules began appearing in sunscreens. Among others, avobenzone became one of the go-to UVA absorbers, while sister molecules oxybenzone and octinoxate were added to protect against the UVB molecules.

(Flickr user Wandering Magpie)

In recent years, coral scientists began to notice heightened levels of sunscreen molecules in popular swimming and diving areas, which are often near coral reefs. Climate change, overfishing, and pollution are already causing severe damage to coral reefs around the world, and the added stressor concerned many scientists in the field. The first study indicating sunscreen causes bleaching in corals was published in 2008. Corals were taken from the environment and exposed to several store-bought sunscreen lotions in seawater tanks. The purpose of this initial study was to simply determine if sunscreen at high concentrations caused corals to bleach, also called a toxicity study. All the corals tested bleached. Critics were quick to point out the conditions were a far cry from what happens in the environment. Regardless, people began to seriously question whether any amount of sunscreen near coral reefs could be harmful to the delicate ecosystem.

Since that first study, scientists continue to build evidence that some sunscreens may harm corals, and even other marine animals. In particular, studies continue to show that oxybenzone and octinoxate are detrimental to coral health. Research shows octinoxate degrades into a chemical called benzophenone, which is a known cancer-causing agent and hormone disruptor. A notable 2016 study found that oxybenzone can cause deformities in both coral larvae and baby corals, damage to coral DNA, and abnormal skeletal growth. A later 2022 study of anemones, the coral's close relative, determined one reason why. When anemones encounter oxybenzone in the presence of sunlight they attempt to rid themselves of the chemical by slightly altering its chemical makeup, but in the process, they end up making a lethal toxin. The new molecule builds in both the anemone tissue and in the anemone's symbiotic algae where it then wreaks havoc and bleaches the anemone.

(Francesco Ungaro)

Again, these studies were conducted in a lab. The big question still remains-are corals in the environment experiencing similar levels of distress from sunscreen washing off swimmer's bodies? A 2022 National Academies review of sunscreen in the environment found that between 1 and 10 μg/L of sunscreen chemicals can be found in a popular tourist site, which is a concentration comparable to 2 grains of sugar in a standard bathtub at the upper amount. That same review noted that toxic levels of sunscreen molecules, both in acute exposure and over time (chronic), are significantly higher than what is observed in the environment. In some cases, studies claiming oxybenzone or octinoxate kill corals use sunscreen concentrations higher than what is observed in the environment. It is possible that the small amounts of sunscreen that wash off are tolerated by the corals. Mass coral bleachings clearly occur during marine heat waves, the result of climate change, and there is no evidence that sunscreens play a significant role in these events. However, more subtle impacts are harder to rule out.

For concerned consumers the best course of action is to cover up during the midday hours and use an oxybenzone and octinoxate free sunscreen when needed. Mineral sunscreens that use titanium dioxide or zinc oxide can be a good choice, but know that nothing is truly "reef safe" as scientists are continually expanding our understanding of sunscreen toxicity. Even mineral sunscreens have additives and coatings, and many now use nano sized mineral particles to decrease the white hue left on the skin when applied. Any of these changes may alter the toxicity of a mineral sunscreen. Of course, the best chance coral reefs have of survival is to slow the progress of climate change, so choosing a local travel destination over a long, gas-guzzling international flight might just be the most reef friendly choice.

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Summer is the time for beach trips and swimming, and often a sunburn or two. Lathering up with sunscreen is one way to protect against the sun's scorching rays, but it also has an unintended consequence we are only now learning about.

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This article explains how the implementation of enviromentally responsible approaches like Green Fins when diving can reduce the impact on coral by diminuishing the amount of contacts, for example.

Roche, R.C., Harvey, C.V., Harvey, J.J. et al. Recreational Diving Impacts on Coral Reefs and the Adoption of Environmentally Responsible Practices within the SCUBA Diving Industry. Environmental Management 58, 107–116 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-016-0696-0

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Diving dos and don’ts: our Impact On Coral Reefs

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Diving dos and don’ts: our Impact On Coral Reefs

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Green Fins is a conservation and manegement approach implemmented by the Reef World Foundation an UN Enrimontal Programm with the goal of protecting corals of the increasing impacts of marine tourism.

Through this programm they offer guidelines as "dos and don'ts" for a more sustainable pratice of snorkeling and diving speacially around this important ecossystem.

You can find more about this programm and their actions on https://greenfins.net/blog/diving-dos-donts/

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Olá :) / Hi :)

We are Inês Costa (131250) and Laura Biet (130883).

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Bom dia,

O nosso grupo é constituido pela Beatriz Simoes nº 131160, Joana Martins nº131227, Catarina Bispo nº134807

O nosso grupo irá focar-se nos efeitos da poluição luminosa nos corais das espécies Stylophora pistillata, Acropora eurystoma e Pocillopora damicornis.🪸

Bibliografia:

Ayalon, I., Marangoni, L. F. de B., Benichou, J. I. C., Avisar, D., & Levy, O. (2019). Red Sea corals under Artificial Light Pollution at Night (ALAN) undergo oxidative stress and photosynthetic impairment. Global Change Biology. (DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14795)

Tamir, R., Eyal, G., Cohen, I., & Loya, Y. (2020). Effects of light pollution on the early life stages of the most abundant Northern Red Sea coral. Microorganisms, 8(2), Artigo 193 (DOI:10.3390/microorganisms8020193).

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O aumento da população junto às zonas costeiras alberga grandes impactos nos ecossistemas envolventes. O aumento de fontes luminosas antropogénicas (Poluição luminosa - POL) é um fator de impacto direto nos organismos dependentes da iluminação lunar para a realização da sua sincronização biológica, a níveis comportamentais, reprodutivos e fisiológicos. O aumento local e global de “multiple stressors” em conjunto com o aumento da POL tem levado ao declínio da abundância de algumas comunidades das zonas costeiras. Apesar da pouca atenção dada a estas novas fontes luminosas, a Poluição Luminosa Artificial Noturna (ALAN) representa uma ameaça emergente. Como exemplo de espécies icónicas das zonas costeira, os corais e correspondentes agregações dos mesmos (recifes de coral) representam um dos ecossistemas marinhos com maior diversidade no planeta, tendo um papel fundamental para muitas outras espécies marinhas, mais concretamente providenciando proteção, alimentação e segurança reprodutiva (berçários). Deste modo, os recifes de coral são considerados ecossistemas essências. Estes quando expostos à ALAN acabam por demonstrar condições de stress oxidativo, menores taxas fotossintéticas e alterações na densidade de clorofila e algas simbióticas. Deste modo, no presente trabalho pretende-se explorar os efeitos da poluição luminosa nos corais das espécies Stylophora pistillata, Acropora eurystoma e Pocillopora damicornis, e correspondentes medidas de conservação.

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A concise review on the potencial applications of Rugulopteryx okamurae macroalgae

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Rapid invasion and expansion of the invasive macroalgae Rugulopteryx okamurae in the Mediterranean and Atlantic: A 10-year review

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This is the divers POV on a dive in the Red Sea (📷 Laura, November 2023).

This video shows a lively reef but unfortunately this isn’t what it looks like everywhere. On each dive careless divers or beginners make contact with the reefs, harming the corals. And with some dive sites having multiple ten-thousands of dives each year this ecosystem is at great risk.

Awareness and diving skills are often lacking which both are an important part of the problem.

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Gaston, K. J., Davies, T. W., Bennie, J., & Hopkins, J. (2012). Reducing the ecological consequences of night-time light pollution: Options and developments. Journal of Applied Ecology, 49(6), 1256–1266. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2664.2012.02212.x

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We found this video on instagram and it shows another huge impact careless boaters (which can be dive boats) have on coral reefs.

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The Red Sea coral reefs are one of the most renowed and visited worldwide by tourists. The frequent water activities like SCUBA diving in this marvelous ecossystem have accumulated to a huge impact on the reef and its community.

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Our topic will be the impact of increased Scuba diving activity on coral reefs in coastal areas.

We are both divers so this topic is close to our hearts.

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RemediOS-2: Diseño y evaluación de estrategias para el desarrollo de la acuicultura de restauración de la ostra plana del Mar Menor | Pleamar

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Reichert, J., Jorissen, H., Drury, C., Hancock, J. R., Haynes, C., Nims, A. D., Rova, L. H., Schiettekatte, N. M. D., the R3D Consortium, & Madin, J. S. (2025). Helix recesses boost coral larvae settlement and survival. Biological Conservation. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111407

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A brief overview on the Mediterranean monk seal in Madeira

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A brief overview on the Mediterranean monk seal in Madeira

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BIOLOGIA

O lobo-marinho (nome científico: Monachus monachus (Hermann, 1779)) é um mamífero marinho, pertencente ao grupo dos pinípedes.É é uma das maiores espécies de foca existentes, podendo na idade adulta atingir os 3 m de comprimento e 300 Kg de peso. Já as crias medem entre 80-120 cm, e pesam entre 15-20 Kg. A morfologia destes animais varia ao longo da sua vida, nascem com um pêlo totalmente negro e uma mancha umbilical amarelada, que passa depois a branca. À medida que crescem, a sua coloração é mais acinzentada, e é acompanhada por inúmeras cicatrizes (principalmente nas fêmeas). A mancha umbilical é visível na sua totalidade nos machos adultos, mas nas fêmeas adultas, a zona ventral é esbranquiçada. Esta característica, assim como a localização do orifício genital, é uma das principais diferenças entre sexos. O lobo-marinho atinge a maturidade sexual aos 3 ou 4, e as fêmeas da população da Madeira tendem a procriar com a idade de 6-7 anos. A sua esperança de vida ronda os 20- 25 anos.

ECOLOGIA

O lobo-marinho é uma espécie totalmente adaptada ao meio marinho, onde realiza diversas atividades fundamentais à sua existência, entre as quais: alimentação (essencialmente peixes, cefalópodes e alguns crustáceos), acasalamento, descanso (faz pequenas sestas à superfície e debaixo de água) e socialização( brincar e explorar). A espécie ocorre frequentemente junta à costa, e sobre fundos até os 200 m de profundidade, mas pode deslocar-se até algumas milhas da zona costeira, e mergulhar até os 400 m de profundidade. Embora passe muito do seu tempo na água, esta espécie também precisa e depende de terra para repousar, parir e cuidar das s crias. Para tal, ocupa principalmente praias abrigadas dentro de grutas, podendo também escolher repousar em praias abertas. Na Madeira, a época de nascimentos de lobo-marinho ocorre em outubro/novembro, sendo a altura em que se observam mais animais em terra, juntos em colónia, a cuidar das crias durantes os primeiros meses de vida. Quando fortalecidas, as crias experimentam as suas primeiras natações, sempre acompanhadas pelo olhar atento das progenitoras, e as primeiras brincadeiras/aprendizagens entre crias e outros elementos da colónia.

CONSERVAÇÃO NA MADEIRA

A conservação do lobo-marinho no Arquipélago da Madeira, teve início em 1988, através de ações desenvolvidas pelo outrora Serviço do Parque Natural da Madeira (SPNM), a instituição do Governo Regional da Madeira responsável pela conservação da natureza. Nesta altura, estimou-se que apenas existiam 6-8 indivíduos na população de lobos-marinhos da Madeira. Este programa de conservação, motivou a proteção legal das Ilhas Desertas, que atualmente têm o estatuto de Reserva Natural das Ilhas Desertas, o principal habitat do lobo-marinho.

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Em 2016, com a reorganização dos serviços regionais, o Serviço do Parque Natural da Madeira (SPNM), fundido com a Direção Regional de Florestas, deu origem ao Instituto das Florestas e Conservação da Natureza, IP-RAM (IFCN, IP-RAM; DLR nº 21/2016/M, de 13 de maio), o atual tutor dos projetos de conservação do lobo-marinho.

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Até 2014, o trabalho de conservação efetuado pelo SPNM, sugeriu que a população de lobos-marinhos teria crescido para os 40 indivíduos. Em 2019, graças à nova metodologia aplicada no projeto LIFE Madeira Lobo-Marinho (LIFE13 NAT/ES/000974 Madeira lobo-marinho), veio revelar que a colónia era composta apenas por 21 indivíduos (dados de 2018). Este projeto, culminou na apresentação de uma Estratégia para a Conservação do Lobo-marinho no Arquipélago da Madeira.

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Em 2021, teve início o mais recente projeto de conservação do lobo-marinho: o projeto VECLAM - "Vigilância do estado de conservação do lobo-marinho no arquipélago da Madeira", com duração até 2024, que pretende dar continuidade à conservação desta espécie e do seu habitat, e aumentar o conhecimento acerca da mesma.

Se quiseres saber mais sobre a história de conservação do lobo-marinho, vê a cronologia apresentada abaixo.

PRESSÕES E AMEAÇAS

Na natureza, as populações podem ser impactadas negativamente por fatores de origem humana ou natural, estes são classificados como pressões - se estão a ocorrer no presente/tempo atual - ou ameaças - quando se prevê que ocorram no futuro. Na população de lobos-marinhos do arquipélago da Madeira, estão identificadas as seguintes pressões e ameaças:

Pressões de origem humana

Pressões de origem natural

Ameaças

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BIOLOGIA O lobo-marinho (nome científico: Monachus monachus (Hermann, 1779)) é um mamífero marinho, pertencente ao grupo dos pinípedes.É é uma das maiores espécies de foca existentes, podendo na idade adulta atingir os 3 m de comprimento e 300 Kg de peso. Já as crias medem entre 80-120 cm, e pesam entre 15-20 Kg.

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First demographic parameter estimates for the Mediterranean monk seal population at Madeira, Portugal

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First demographic parameter estimates for the Mediterranean monk seal population at Madeira, Portugal

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This paper gives an overview of the population at Madeira while comparing some aspects with Cabo Blanco.

Survival rates show that the first year of life is decisive as pups have 47% of surviving.

Females in Madeira reach reproductive age around 3 years after those in Cabo Blanco, researchers believe it's due to food availability.

Thanks to conservation efforts, the population has grown 3 times its size since the 1980s.

Urges better fisheries and coastal zone management.

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First demographic parameter estimates for the Mediterranean monk seal population at Madeira, Portugal

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We provide the first comprehensive demographic assessment of the Endangered Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus population residing in the Madeira Archipelago to identify factors that…

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In 2017 the Angleshark (Squatina squatina) was listed as Critically Endangered in the IUCN Red List, highlighting the urgent need for the protection and conservation of this species.

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My Account You must log in to access advanced IUCN Red List functionality. Please enter your e-mail address and password below. Register for an account To save searches and access a historical view of information you have downloaded you are required to register for an account.

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Hello everyone, we are Ângelo Fernandes (No. 112784), Maria Parente (No. 107896) and Pedro Pimenta (No. 129452) first-year Master's students in Applied Marine Biology. The topic we chose for this part of our assessment, which we will develop in this Padlet throughout the year, is the problem of ghost nets, focusing on coastal areas. Over the years, since humans began using high-strength nets to catch fish more effectively, these nets have been accumulating and becoming increasingly present both in the water column and on the seabed. Especially in shallow coastal areas, they can, both in use and abandoned, severely harm benthic organisms and the marine substrate. They can take on various shapes and sizes, and when lost and abandoned during fishing activities, they become devices that capture organisms without any type of control, resulting in physical damage and often death. Here we will explore these elements of marine pollution, how this problem has developed over the years, how it is seen by human beings and fishing professionals, ways to solve this problem and also demonstrate our opinion on it, with a special focus on coastal areas where the presence of more artisanal and uncontrolled fishing is much more likely, as this is also an environment in which individuals can have an understanding of the existing problem and it is easier to raise awareness among the population.

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Olá,

O nosso grupo é constituído pela Beatriz Ruivo n°113099, Miguel Raposo n°130869 e Ricardo Silva n°113098.

Tema - Degradação e perda dos recifes de bivalves.

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Addressing fisheries bycatch in a changing world

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Addressing fisheries bycatch in a changing world

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Komoroske, L. M., & Lewison, R. L. (2015). Addressing fisheries bycatch in a changing world. Frontiers in Marine Science, 2(83). https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2015.00083

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Frontiers | Addressing fisheries bycatch in a changing world

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Fisheries bycatch is a threat to species of marine megafauna across the world’s oceans. Work over the past several decades has greatly advanced our understan…

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Hi! We are Martina Tomàs (130294) and Victor Ferrer(130381). Our project is about the threats and solutions of invasive species in Portuguese coasts. Specially, we are centred in Ruditapes philippinarim.

Paper 1

Moura, P., Garaulet, L. L., Vasconcelos, P.,

Chainho, P., Costa, J. L., & Gaspar, M. B. (2017). Age and growth of a highly successful invasive species: the Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum (Adams & Reeve, 1850) in the Tagus Estuary (Portugal). Aquatic Invasions, 12(2), 133-146. https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2017.12.2.02

Paper 2

Coelho, P., Carvalho, F., Goulding, T., Chainho, P., & Guerreiro, J. (2021). Management models of the Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) fisheries in invaded European coastal systems. Frontiers in Marine Science, 8, 685307.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.685307/full

Paper 3

Moura, P., Vasconcelos, P., Pereira, F., Chainho, P., Costa, J. L., & Gaspar, M. B. (2018). Reproductive cycle of the Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum): an intensively harvested invasive species in the Tagus Estuary (Portugal). Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 98(7), 1645-1657.

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-the-marine-biological-association-of-the-united-kingdom/article/reproductive-cycle-of-the-manila-clam-ruditapes-philippinarum-an-intensively-harvested-invasive-species-in-the-tagus-estuary-portugal/538FD73D70562552D7B389E610F84016

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Bom dia,

O nosso grupo é constituido pela Maria Pereira (n.º 131260), Mariana Cardoso (n.º 130948) e pela Neiva Garcia (n.º 130580)

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Artisanal fisher perceptions on ghost nets

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Artisanal fisher perceptions on ghost nets

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Barbosa-Filho, M. L. V., Seminara, C. I., Tavares, D. C., Siciliano, S., Hauser-Davis, R. A., & da Silva Mourão, J. (2020). Artisanal fisher perceptions on ghost nets in a tropical South Atlantic marine biodiversity hotspot: Challenges to traditional fishing culture and implications for conservation strategies. Ocean & Coastal Management, 192, 105189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2020.105189

One of the articles that inspired us for this topic addresses how, in a study region in Brazil, local fishermen who practice traditional fishing arts were approached and deal with this problem daily, and how they have observed changes in the regularity with which these nets are found in the areas used by them for generations. It is also interesting how most of the traps found are nets used to catch a species that is protected and whose capture is prohibited, thus also highlighting how these nets, in addition to damaging the environment when abandoned, also allow the detection of illegal practices, something that in itself also raises awareness among local fishermen who, by complying with the law and knowing the ecosystem they have at hand, intend to see it corrected with sanctions for defaulters and the preservation of the environment that provides them with sustenance.

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https://www.publico.pt/2025/09/25/azul/noticia/acidificacao-oceano-ja-ultrapassou-nivel-considerado-seguro-vida-marinha-2148420?ref=azul&cx=bloco_1_destaque_2

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Acidificação do oceano já ultrapassou o nível considerado seguro | Oceano | PÚBLICO

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Arrábida designated as a BIOSFERE reserve (in PT)

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Arrábida designated as a BIOSFERE reserve (in PT)

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https://www.publico.pt/2025/09/27/azul/noticia/arrabida-joia-costeira-distinguida-unesco-reserva-biosfera-2148555

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Arrábida, uma “jóia costeira” distinguida pela UNESCO como Reserva da Biosfera | UNESCO | PÚBLICO