The Generalitat of Catalonia plans to reintroduce the Mediterranean monk seal on the Costa Brava by 2027, especially in Cadaqués and on the island of Cabrera. However, the municipality of Cadaqués strongly opposes the project, fearing negative economic impacts on fishing and tourism, and deplores a lack of consultation.
Seals on the Costa Brava: not so long ago, it was a reality. And their return could only be a matter of time. Indeed, at the end of last August, the Generalitat (the Catalan government) confirmed the existence of a project to reintroduce the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) on the Catalan coast. With specimens that could find a welcoming land in Cadaqués and on the island of Cabrera, south of Mallorca (Balearic Islands), according to information from the Diari de Girona.
Repercussions
Except that not everyone hears it from this ear. This Thursday, the municipality of Cadaqués shouted loudly its opposition to this project. And for good reason, according to the statements of elected officials to our Catalan colleagues, three « coves » (coves) of Cadaqués would be concerned, including the Cala Jugadora. According to them, the arrival of seals would lead in particular to a change in maritime traffic and « the prohibition of access to the coves concerned », whether for ships or pedestrians (inhabitants, hikers, tourists…). Leading in its wake to serious economic repercussions for the fishing, boating, diving sectors… To top it all off, the municipality says it has not been consulted by the Generalitat and assures that it has been excluded from the discussions.
For all these reasons, it has therefore decided to firmly and unilaterally oppose this project, which the Catalan government nevertheless wishes to launch as early as 2027.
Seals that could return to the Costa Brava 50 years after disappearing. After centuries of occupation in Cap de Creus, the Mediterranean monk seal eventually disappeared from the Catalan coast in the early 1970s. The fault « to the fishermen who saw in him a direct competitor, to accidental catches and to the transformation of the coast under tourist pressure, » lists the Diari.
The seals then abandoned the Mediterranean West (Spain, France, Italy, North Africa). Some colonies still survive in Greece, Cyprus and Turkey. According to some sources, there are 700 specimens identified in this area of the great blue.
