underwater noise (Arbelo et al. 2008). Another source of threat is plastic debris; a
sperm whale stranded on the coast of Granada contained 17,927 g of this material
(de Stephanis et al. 2013). However, specific studies on plastic debris have yet to be
conducted in this area.
In the setting of climate change, increased SSTs in the Alboran Sea would reduce
the habitat suitable for common dolphins and lead to a progressive decrease in this
species from east to west (Cañadas and Vázquez 2017).
The IUCN expert group for marine mammals has designated a set of marine
mammal protected areas (MMPAs) in the Alboran Sea (https://www.iucn.org/
commissions/world-commission-protected-areas/our-work/marine-mammalprotected-areas) (Fig. 21.10).
Other marine mammal groups in the Alboran Sea include large colonies of monk
seals (Monachus monachus) on both sides of the sea (González 2007; Mo et al.
2011). Until the 1980s, they were found on the coasts of Almeria (De Juana et al.
1981). In the Chafarinas Islands, there was a small breeding colony that became
extinct in 1994 (González 2007). Based on 141 sightings, it is currently believed that
there may be a colony between Morocco and Algeria (Mo et al. 2011). Moreover,
there are anecdotal records of other stranded seal species, comprising eight hooded
seals (Cystophora cristata) and one harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus) (Bellido
et al. 2008b, 2009; Torreblanca et al. 2017).
21.6 Studying the Life Traits of Marine Megafauna: An
Overview of Tagging Vulnerable and Highly Mobile
Species from the Alboran Sea
The existence and magnitude of contacts between Mediterranean and Atlantic
marine species populations are key issues regarding regulations on the management
of megafauna. To date, little is known about the population size, structure, distribution, and dynamics of megafauna in the western Mediterranean basin. The main
issues concern uncertainties in mixing between megafauna stocks, mixing between
the North and South Atlantic stocks, the rates and size of North AtlanticMediterranean stock mixing, and the possible existence of Mediterranean
sub-stocks. It has been shown that there are phylogeographic breaks in gene flow
between the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic for several marine species
(Patarnello et al. 2007), suggesting that there may be isolated and particularly
vulnerable populations in the Mediterranean. The Alboran Sea is an ideal area in
which to observe and study the movement of marine animals between the western
Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean through the Strait of Gibraltar.
In 1982, Lacombe and Richez characterized the hydrodynamics of the Strait of
Gibraltar, describing the surface inflow of the Atlantic waters and the deep outflow
(between 50 and 200 m) of dense Mediterranean waters. They also described their
21 Marine Megafauna and Charismatic Vertebrate Species
727
sperm whale stranded on the coast of Granada contained 17,927 g of this material
(de Stephanis et al. 2013). However, specific studies on plastic debris have yet to be
conducted in this area.
In the setting of climate change, increased SSTs in the Alboran Sea would reduce
the habitat suitable for common dolphins and lead to a progressive decrease in this
species from east to west (Cañadas and Vázquez 2017).
The IUCN expert group for marine mammals has designated a set of marine
mammal protected areas (MMPAs) in the Alboran Sea (https://www.iucn.org/
commissions/world-commission-protected-areas/our-work/marine-mammalprotected-areas) (Fig. 21.10).
Other marine mammal groups in the Alboran Sea include large colonies of monk
seals (Monachus monachus) on both sides of the sea (González 2007; Mo et al.
2011). Until the 1980s, they were found on the coasts of Almeria (De Juana et al.
1981). In the Chafarinas Islands, there was a small breeding colony that became
extinct in 1994 (González 2007). Based on 141 sightings, it is currently believed that
there may be a colony between Morocco and Algeria (Mo et al. 2011). Moreover,
there are anecdotal records of other stranded seal species, comprising eight hooded
seals (Cystophora cristata) and one harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus) (Bellido
et al. 2008b, 2009; Torreblanca et al. 2017).
21.6 Studying the Life Traits of Marine Megafauna: An
Overview of Tagging Vulnerable and Highly Mobile
Species from the Alboran Sea
The existence and magnitude of contacts between Mediterranean and Atlantic
marine species populations are key issues regarding regulations on the management
of megafauna. To date, little is known about the population size, structure, distribution, and dynamics of megafauna in the western Mediterranean basin. The main
issues concern uncertainties in mixing between megafauna stocks, mixing between
the North and South Atlantic stocks, the rates and size of North AtlanticMediterranean stock mixing, and the possible existence of Mediterranean
sub-stocks. It has been shown that there are phylogeographic breaks in gene flow
between the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic for several marine species
(Patarnello et al. 2007), suggesting that there may be isolated and particularly
vulnerable populations in the Mediterranean. The Alboran Sea is an ideal area in
which to observe and study the movement of marine animals between the western
Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean through the Strait of Gibraltar.
In 1982, Lacombe and Richez characterized the hydrodynamics of the Strait of
Gibraltar, describing the surface inflow of the Atlantic waters and the deep outflow
(between 50 and 200 m) of dense Mediterranean waters. They also described their
21 Marine Megafauna and Charismatic Vertebrate Species
727