Parks & Reserves: Pelagos Sanctuary for Mediterranean Marine Mammals

"In the Mediterranean — one of the best-known, heavily utilized bodies of water around the world — a recent discovery provoked surprise and provided impetus for conservation. Large populations of eight marine mammal species, including several cetacean species, were discovered, supported by a permanent frontal system concentrating vast populations of zooplankton and other food sources. The presence of these spectacular mammals in such a heavily used area surprised the public and the scientific community alike. The confluence of this discovery, and heightened public awareness about a spate of marine mammal strandings resulting from disease and by-catch in the drift net fishery, has led to a drive to protect this newly discovered special feature. The governments of Italy, France, and Monaco made an unprecedented move to protect this high seas area by declaring it a marine mammal sanctuary called “Pelagos”."