Image: Nuno Sá
OBJECTIVES
The VECLAM project - in english "Mediterranean monk seal conservation status surveillance in Madeira archipelago", developed by the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests, IFCN, IP-RAM, and funded by the Monk Seal Alliance", started in 2021, and its main goal is to continue the monk seal's conservation work in the Autonomous Region of Madeira, through a set of conservation actions in the entire archipelago of Madeira, including the implementation of the Strategy for the Conservation of the Mediterranean Monk Seal.
The project aims to:
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Follow the status of monk seals population;
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Recover and care for the monk seal's habitat;
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Mitigate threats to the monk seal;
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Involve the Madeiran community in the recovery of the monk seal population;
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Raise awareness in the community of the importance and need for measures to protect the species in the Madeira archipelago.
ACTIONS
OS1. Know the monk seal habitat in all Madeira archipelago
A1
Mapping and characterizing the caves and other sites of interest to the monk seal, on the islands of Porto Santo and Selvagens.
State
Ongoing
OS2. Improve the conservation status of monk seals habitat
A2
Remove marine litter from monitored caves.
State
Ongoing
OS3 - Keep the demographic observatory up to date
A3
Produce 8 permanent surveillance systems.
State
Concluded
A4
Maintain the photographic systems installed in the caves that are most used by monk seals.
State
Ongoing
A5
Implementation of new systems in caves of possible interest.
State
To be initiated
A6
Analyze the collected images and update the colony's demographic indicators.
State
Ongoing
OS4 - Improve the knowledge about the monk seals marine habitat
A7
Design, build and experiment new location bracelets (GPS and TDR) for monk seals.
State
Ongoing
A8
Place and collect the new GPS bracelets on monk seals.
State
To be initiated
A9
Analyze the data collected from the GPS.
State
To be initiated
OS5 - Inform and involve citizens in the monk seals conservation
A10
Organise awareness-raising events with the population ofMadeira and Porto Santo islands.
State
Ongoing
A11
Produce awareness material.
State
Ongoing
A12
Create an application and an internet platform, for recording monk seal sightings and disseminating information.
State
Ongoing
OS6 - Share information with the “monk seal community”
A13
Produce technical reports.
State
Ongoing
A14
Participate in national and international meetings that focus on Mediterranean monk seals.
State
Ongoing
