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As the winds of war blow in the Middle East, spring has come to the Mediterranean. The waves sparkle in the sun. It is time for me to wake up and leave my cave. I'd better fill my stomach before the trawling begins. The trawlers cause a lot of damage, especially when they trawl in forbidden zones. My friends at the Mediterranean Seal Research Group do their best to stop this.
My mother told me that seals and people have been friends for centuries. Some of my best friends are fishermen! We share the same waters. When the numbers of fish fall, they also have trouble feeding their children. We should work together to protect the seas. Besides, they know that if they see me out hunting, that means that there are fish in the water. If there isn't enough food for us, we seals have to try to find food elsewhere. Our population has dwindled in the Mediterranean, especially in the last 20 years. Still, I have hope. The Mediterranean Seal Research Group tells me that good things are happening to help me and my relatives all over the Mediterranean. There are only about 10 of us where I live, but there are 500-550 seals in the Mediterranean. This may not seem like a lot, but it is enough for us to survive.
Scientists in Greece, Croatia and Mauritania are trying to help us by setting up and patrolling protected zones. So, there is still hope for the fish, crustaceans, plants, dolphins, whales, turtles, seals and even people of the Mediterranean. I might steal the odd fish from a fisherman's net, but I don?t really do any harm. You have the knowledge and the power to save the seas. Do this for your children. Otherwise, first the fish and then we seals will disappear. You could be next. The future lies in your hands. Today, the sea is sparkling and full of fish. I am indebted to my fishermen friends Balıkcı Ali, Deli Sevki and Kara Yasar for this. Thank you...
Sleepyhead
