The Generalitat de Catalunya is pressing ahead with preparations to reintroduce the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) in Catalan waters. According to biologist Jordi Sargatal, who is involved in the project, a start to a trial phase in 2027 is under consideration. The administration has identified the Cap de Creus, with Cala Jugadora at Cadaqués as a possible site for the first, closely monitored measures. No specific release decisions have yet been made, and formal permits will be required.
There is opposition from affected coastal municipalities. The town council of El Port de la Selva and representatives of the Cadaqués fishing port oppose the reintroduction. They point to possible income losses for small-scale fishing and argue that adult animals could consume up to 30 kilograms of fish a day. This figure comes from municipal statements and local reporting. The municipalities are calling for binding public participation, transparency about project planning and the publication of robust environmental and social assessments before any initial steps are taken.
From a scientific perspective, the Mediterranean monk seal has been largely absent from Spain for decades. Historical records on the Catalan coast date back to the 1970s. More recently, isolated genetic traces (eDNA) have been reported on the Balearic Islands . International conservation programmes focus primarily on populations in the eastern Mediterranean and the North Atlantic near Madeira. Supporters of reintroduction point to the ecological roles of large marine mammals in coastal ecosystems and the opportunity to re-establish one of the world’s rarest seal species in suitable habitat.
At the same time, significant questions remain to be examined. These include the origin and health status of potential animals, the capacity of suitable refuges, interaction with protected areas and possible conflicts with coastal fishing. Scientific literature gives varying nutritional requirements depending on region and prey type, with average figures in some cases significantly lower than the maximum values cited in official statements. Binding environmental impact assessments, monitoring plans and possible compensation mechanisms have not yet been made public as decision-ready documents.
The Generalitat de Catalunya stresses that this is a gradual assessment, accompanied by scientific research. Municipalities and professional associations are demanding clear commitments on participation, data transparency and compensation before any decision is made about pilot releases. The balance between species conservation and coastal fishing will depend on the outstanding assessments, specific rules for protected zones and funding for long-term measures.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).