The current status of Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus (Hermann, 1779)) in the Gökova Bay and its interaction with tourism and fishing activities

A coastal survey was conducted in Gökova Bay on the southwest coast of Türkiye, and five marine caves suitable for the endangered Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) use were identified. Camera traps were placed in these caves to gather data on the species' cave use between 2017 and 2021 to eliminate the data gap for Gökova Bay. Based on the data of cave monitoring study, it was found that the number of individuals using the caves generally increased from winter to late spring, with the primary activity occurring between sunset and sunrise. During study period, 18 individuals using the caves were identified. Two of the five caves were found to be breeding caves. Statistical analysis revealed seasonal variations in monthly cave use proportions. Key predictors of cave preference included changes in annual cave use ratios, seasonality, wind speed, the size of wet areas inside the caves, luminosity, human activity intensity, and the number of paths entering the caves. The Kruskal Wallis H test results highlighted statistically significant differences in total cave use durations based on different caves, genders, individuals, and age groups. Spatial analysis of the questionnaire study data in the Geographic Information System determined area use densities for fishers and tour boats, as well as the frequencies of area use for fisheries and tourism. This information identified areas of seal-human interaction based on observation data. Consequently, in line with the information obtained from the thesis, recommendations were presented to protect seal caves, which are already limited in number, against human pressure