This MoU established coordinated conservation commitments among four Atlantic states to protect endangered Mediterranean monk seal populations under the Bonn Convention.
Key Facts
- Date of effect
- 18 October 2007
- Number of range states
- 4
- Signatory states
- Mauritania, Morocco, Portugal, Spain
- Governing convention
- Convention on Migratory Species (Bonn Convention)
- Species protected
- Eastern Atlantic Mediterranean monk seal
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Mediterranean monk seal is one of the world's most endangered marine mammals, with eastern Atlantic populations inhabiting waters shared by Mauritania, Morocco, Portugal, and Spain. Fragmented national approaches to conservation created a need for coordinated international action under an established multilateral framework.
On 18 October 2007, the Memorandum of Understanding concerning Conservation Measures for the Eastern Atlantic Populations of the Mediterranean Monk Seal entered into effect under the auspices of the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals. All four range states — Mauritania, Morocco, Portugal, and Spain — signed the agreement, committing to coordinated protective measures.
The MoU created a binding cooperative framework obligating the four signatory states to implement conservation measures for the monk seal across its eastern Atlantic range, improving prospects for cross-border habitat protection and population monitoring under international oversight.
Political Outcome
Multilateral MoU entered into force with all four range states signing, establishing coordinated conservation commitments for the Mediterranean monk seal.