Monk Seals Retreat to Bubble Caves for 119 Days as Tourists Crowd Greece's Formicula
Updated
Updated · oceanographicmagazine.com · May 20
Monk Seals Retreat to Bubble Caves for 119 Days as Tourists Crowd Greece's Formicula
3 articles · Updated · oceanographicmagazine.com · May 20
Researchers found Mediterranean monk seals used an underwater bubble cave on Formicula for 119 days, versus 30 days in a main cave, to avoid summer tourist disturbance.
The study says growing human activity around the Greek islet pushed the endangered seals from open beaches and larger caves into air-filled chambers reachable only through submerged passages.
Remote cameras recorded the seals floating, sleeping vertically at the surface, or lying motionless on the sea floor inside the bubble caves during monitoring in 2020 and 2024.
The findings, published in Oryx, argue bubble caves should be included in habitat planning and bolster calls for stronger protections at a key breeding and resting site.
Greece already imposed a 200-meter restricted-access zone around Formicula in 2024 and has approved two large marine protected areas in the Ionian and southern Aegean seas.
Are Greece's new marine sanctuaries enough to protect seals already driven into hiding by tourist crowds?
As seals hide in bubble caves, what other unseen impacts does mass tourism have on marine ecosystems?
While Greece saves its rare seals, why does an EU ban create conflict with plentiful seals elsewhere?
Hidden Refuges and New Frontiers: Protecting the Last 500 Mediterranean Monk Seals in a Crowded Sea
Overview
Formicula islet, known for its pristine waters and rich marine life, attracts many tourists eager to spot the critically endangered Mediterranean monk seal. However, the popularity of these 'seal hotspots' has increased human impact, making the seals more vulnerable. To protect them, new conservation measures urge sailors and visitors to report seal sightings only to designated platforms, helping prevent excessive disturbance. These efforts highlight the need for responsible tourism and careful management to ensure the survival of the monk seal, balancing human enjoyment of Formicula’s natural beauty with the urgent need to safeguard its rare wildlife.