The Mediterranean monk seal is categorized as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is in urgent need of effective conservation measures. Following a steep decline in the 20th century, the National Park Service of Madeira initiated efforts to protect the species in the archipelago of Madeira, including habitat protection, scientific research and public awareness. The aim of this study was to analyse data collected during a monitoring project (1988À2005) to assess the conservation status of the species and identify priority conservation actions for the future. The study recorded the presence of the species at key pupping sites in a strictly protected area at the Desertas Islands, increased sightings in recent years around the main island of Madeira, an increase in the number of pups born, and low mortality. The population in the archipelago of Madeira is currently estimated to be 20-30 adults. These findings suggest that the species remains Critically Endangered in the area but that its conservation situation has improved because of the implementation of effective conservation actions. Conservation priorities identified include protecting suitable monk seal habitat at Madeira, investigating sealÀfisheries interactions, increasing environmental education, and strengthening regional legislation for the protection of the species.

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In order to describe the resting and pupping habitat of the Critically Endangered Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus and facilitate the identification of preferences by the species for suitable habitat for resting and pupping, 94 sea caves in the archipelago of Madeira were located, charted, and categorized using six characteristics. A cluster analysis indicated that there are eight different types of cave, in three groups. Observations of cave usage indicate that monk seals in the archipelago do not appear to exhibit a preference for certain cave types for resting. When taking care of young, however, the species appears to prefer sea caves that have beaches above sea level during high tide and long entrance corridors. Based on these preferences we believe that although there is a large number of caves in the area that are suitable for resting, only 16 (17%) of the caves are suitable for pupping. The survival of the Critically Endangered Mediterranean monk seal will depend on the allocation of sufficient suitable habitat for reproduction.

The population of monk seals Monachus monachus on the Desertas Islands started to decline dramatically after the 1970s, hence the introduction of a project for the conservation of the species in 1988. Since then measures have been taken to achieve effective protection of those islands, and environemental education, monitoring and research programmes have been carried out. Methodologies used have been as non-intrusive as possible. Ten years later, the results have proved to be very positive. The monk seal, as well as its habitat, are adequately protected and the population, estimated at 20 individuals, is now on the increase with the growing number of births. With regard to the finding of biological and ecological data on the species, although somehow limited, it has been sufficient to help establish the most suitable strategies for the protection and conservation of the monk seal on the Desertas Islands.Resume. -La population de phoques moines, Monachus monachus, des lies Desertas a regresse de fagon accentuee ä partir des annees 70. C'est pour cette raison qu'en 1988, un programme pour la conservation de cette espece a debute. Depuis lors, des actions de protection effective de ces iles, des actions d'education environnementale, de suivi et de recherche ont ete realisees. Les methodologies utilisees sont autant que possible non intrusives. Dix ans plus tard, on a pu constater que les resultats etaient tres positifs. Le phoque moine et son habitat sont proteges de maniere adequate et la population, estimee a 20 individus, se trouve en phase de recuperation. On constate egalement une augmentation de la production annuelle de jeunes. Quant ä la determination des parametres de la biologic et de l'ecologie de cette espece, bien que limitee, eile permet neanmoins de definir les strategies les plus adequates ä la protection et a la conservation du phoque moine dans les lies Desertas.