(27-01-11) Two of the most endangered species in the world, monk seals and humpback dolphins, are about to disappear in the Mauritanian coasts due to uncontrolled fishing. Their disappearance would change coastal marine ecosystems.

    Catalan researchers that have studied the tropic marine network in Mauritania have discovered that monk seals and humpback dolphins of the Atlantic are seriously endangered due to fishing activities in the Mauritanian coasts. These two species of mammals are two of the most endangered species worldwide.

    The research, published in 'Marine Ecology Progress Series', shows that industrial and artisanal fishing is jeopardizing local marine ecosystems.

    Scientists assure that if monk seals –about to extinction- and humpback dolphins of the Atlantic disappeared there would be a serious alteration in coastal ecosystems because two essential super predators would disappear.

    This is the reason why experts request a greater regulation that promotes a sustainable fishing in northeast Africa. According to Ana M. Piniela, main author of the investigation and researcher for Barcelona University, “this area is too much exploited and it should be a priority for the conservation of these species important for biodiversity”.

    Experts analyzed stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen to establish trophic distribution and location of 13 species of mammals and other species of microalgae, fish, molluscs, turtles and phytoplankton, not studied so far. Monk seals and humpback dolphins of the Atlantic are the most coastal species of the studied area.

    Orcas, also present in Mauritania, feed in the same topic level as monk seals, but “they have a much more pelagic distribution (open sea)” says Pinela.

Text: Guadalupe Romero / MEP