The Blue Cave and Pirate Cave, located in Antalya’s Kaş and Demre districts, are among the most important breeding sites for Mediterranean monk seals. These caves are critical for the preservation of the Mediterranean monk seal population, which is only around 900. Tourist boat trips to these caves were one of the major threats to the seals’ population.
To address this issue, with the support of the Mediterranean Seal Research Group (SAD-AFAG) and local authorities, entry to these caves has been banned, and the cave entrances have been sealed with chains.
These conservation measures aim to reduce the impact of tourist boats that hinder the seals’ breeding. It was found that the seals inside the caves were disturbed by loud noises and human presence, negatively affecting their reproduction. SAD-AFAG Coordinator Cem Orkun Kıraç emphasized the importance of these caves as breeding and rearing areas for the Mediterranean monk seals, highlighting the necessity of these protective measures.
Moreover, the protection of these caves is not only vital for the local area but also for the entire Mediterranean ecosystem. Cave entries are already prohibited by regulations, as these areas are essential for the seals’ survival. SAD-AFAG pointed out that some stakeholders in the tourism industry, in pursuit of customer satisfaction and increased sales, have engaged in illegal activities, which adversely affected seal breeding. However, with these new measures, the entry of boats into the caves has significantly decreased, yielding successful results.
In conclusion, protecting the Mediterranean monk seals is directly linked to preserving the Mediterranean ecosystem, and these measures are seen as a significant step in ensuring the survival of the species.
