Dear all, Sad news indeed, on the 25th March and in the area of Ain Gazzalla (Northeast Libya near the Egyptian borders, 32.23284 N, 23.2848 E) a group of fishermen found a dead female monk seal trapped in their net. The case was reported to the coastguards who in turn informed the National Marine Laboratory. The carcass is now in their possession at the Lab and an autopsy is being arranged during this week. This event is the only confirmed case of monk seal existence in eastern Libya since Norris 1972, which may indicate that this critically endangered species can still be found in the area or close by which will support the importance of the area as an MPA. A report will be issued after the autopsy for more details, meanwhile pictures taken by the fishermen can be found at Flicker : http://www.flickr.com/photos/veezga/sets/72157629707045023/ regards Ibrahem ============================= Ibrahem Benamer MSc. Marine and Fisheries Science University of Aberdeen Lecturer Assistant, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, Omar Mukhtar University (OMU), El-beida, Libya Tel: (+218) 92 859 6751 E mail: benamer.ly@gmail.com Skype: Ibrahem_benamer International Mailing address (Aramex(: Ibrahem Benamer TIP 398 Aramex House, Old Bath Road Colonbrook, Berkshire SL3 0NS UK P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.