Understanding the Interactions between Small-Scale Fisheries and the Mediterranean Monk Seal Using Fishermen’s Ecological Knowledge

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Marine mammals are known to interact with fisheries worldwide, usually in the form of depredation which is the act of removing captured fish or bait from fishing gear. Depredation can significantly damage fishing gear and catch, thus increasing operating costs. Additionally, such interactions may lead to the incidental capture of marine mammals with consequences that may lead to injury and death. The endangered Mediterranean monk seal has been known to interact with small-scale fisheries in the Mediterranean Sea, with consequent negative impacts on the species and fishermen. While the population of the species has steadily grown to about 20 individuals in Cyprus in the past 12 years, the Mediterranean monk seal is currently facing different anthropogenic stressors. Interviews were conducted with 90 fishermen with the aim to get a better understanding of the interactions between the Mediterranean monk seal and small-scale fisheries in the Republic of Cyprus. The findings indicate minimal interactions between the monk seals and fisheries, but it is likely that the species may accidentally become entangled on fishing gear, potentially leading to adverse consequences and mortality. This study proposes specific area- and time-based protected areas as a management action to mitigate against these interactions. ABSTRACT: Interactions between fisheries and marine mammals have been well documented in almost all existing fishing gears around the world, often associated with detrimental consequences. Interactions of the endangered Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) with small-scale fisheries have been previously documented in the Mediterranean; this is a problem that seems to be growing in recent years. The present study aims to understand for the first time the nature and extent of interactions between the Mediterranean monk seal and small-scale fisheries in the Republic of Cyprus. The data were collected by conducting in-person semi-structured interviews, between November and December 2020, with 90 fishermen operating from nine different ports, extending throughout the entire coastline of the Republic of Cyprus. The results revealed minimal interactions between the Mediterranean monk seals and small-scale fisheries. The findings indicate that interactions are more likely to occur at depths of less than 10 m, closer to the coast, with the use of trammel nets and gillnets, and during the spring and summer months. The encounter, depredation and incidental capture rates were calculated at 0.01 (0.95%), 0.005 (0.51%) and 0.0004 (0.04%) per fisher, respectively. Spatiotemporal closed areas are proposed as a potential solution to mitigate these interactions.