Seal Greece: 1,000 Miles for the 1,000 Mediterranean Monk Seals Left on the Planet
The nationwide campaign to protect Monachus monachus has concluded, with stories from the international crew who carried its message.
This summer, two sailing boats powered by wind and solar, Bonnie R and Pelago, set out on a voyage that went far beyond a simple journey. Nearly 1,000 nautical miles were covered, one for each of the approximately 1,000 Mediterranean monk seals that remain in the world. Along the way, the crews connected people, places, and seas around one shared goal: protecting the rarest marine mammal in the world.
Τhe Seal Greece information campaign, part of a wider initiative by the Monk Seal Alliance and the Natural Environment Climate & Change Agency (NECCA), launched from Volos on July 7 and sailed through the Ionian and Aegean Seas in collaboration with Aegean Cargo Sailing.
On board Bonnie R, Captain John and marine biologist Nora from Germany spent 23 days sailing through seven Ionian stops. Meanwhile, Pelago was helmed by Captain Loukas alongside ambassadors Arran and Suzanne — marine scientists from the UK and France. Together, this transgenerational, international crew braved the strong summer meltemi winds, anchoring at 18 Aegean ports and sharing a single vital message: the sea and its fragile biodiversity need space and respect.
Voices from the Voyage
Suzanne (France)
“Seal Greece is about more than an awareness campaign — it’s a network of citizens, organizations, local stakeholders and businesses, working together for the survival of the Mediterranean monk seal. Our voyage may be ending, but the work to protect this species is far from over. We sailed nearly 1,000 miles — one for each of the Mediterranean monk seals still left on the planet. And just because we’re back on land doesn’t mean the mission is finished.”
Arran (United Kingdom)
“From port to port across the Aegean and Ionian seas, we’ve carried one message: give monk seals space, and protect the Med’s wildlife. We came to Greece from around the world to join this important mission — united by the goal of protecting one of the rarest marine mammals on Earth.”
Nora (Germany)
“It was wonderful to speak to so many amazing people. I loved when the locals came forward and told us their stories about how they perceived the monk seals and how they encountered them and I think it’s really important to have the storytelling of the local people. We met tourists that were really interested in the cause. I am really happy and grateful for joining the campaign, so thank you from my heart to the team, who did an absolutely fabulous job.”
A Campaign that Brought Communities Together
At every port, residents and visitors met Mona — the augmented reality (AR) seal who “swam” along the coastlines for two months, sharing knowledge in five languages. Children turned her into colorful drawings, while the campaign’s message reached schools, marinas, and town squares.
From the cafés of small harbors to diving centers and kayaking schools, every encounter became an opportunity for connection. Local businesses, boat owners, and tourism operators learned how to safeguard marine habitats, while environmental organizations offered their support. The voyage became a celebration of knowledge, dialogue, and shared responsibility for the Mediterranean monk seal.
“The Seal Greece awareness campaign, launched by the Monk Seal Alliance, is truly unique. For the first time, a national awareness effort is being carried out under the umbrella of NECCA — the authority responsible for protected areas — to inform tourists and sea users about how their choices can impact the monk seal and its fragile habitats. We’ve shifted from avoiding communication about the species — fearing that too much attention might do more harm than good — to actively promoting a message of coexistence, using tools like social media and navigation apps, while placing ethical considerations at the heart of the campaign. This change is essential as the species begins to recover and human activity in key habitats increases.
In parallel, the Monk Seal Alliance is actively supporting the Greek authorities to maintain momentum on the establishment and effective management of marine protected areas, ensuring that threats to the species are properly monitored and mitigated — another key objective of the Seal Greece initiative.”
— Auriane Pertuisot, Coordinator, Monk Seal Alliance
Throughout the journey, successful events were organized in collaboration with iSea and Kosamare.
Seal Greece placed sustainability at the heart of its mission. By relying primarily on wind and solar energy, fuel consumption was reduced by about 274 liters, preventing a significant volume of CO₂ emissions from entering the atmosphere!
The Journey Continues
This summer’s voyage may be over, but the mission continues. Every mile traveled was more than distance covered — it was progress toward a future where people and nature can thrive in harmony. And for every monk seal that still survives in the Mediterranean, Seal Greece is committed to continuing to open new pathways — with sails, with words, with action.
We are proud to share with you some of the most memorable moments of this remarkable journey across the seas of the Aegean and Ionian:
