Akdeniz Foku Araştırma Grubu

Akdeniz Foku Araştırma Grubu (AFAG), or the Mediterranean Monk Seal Research Group, was founded in 1987 under the umbrella of the Underwater Research Society (SAD) in Türkiye. It is the country’s first and only specialized NGO dedicated to the protection of the endangered Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) and its coastal habitat. AFAG’s mission is rooted in the belief that protecting the monk seal means protecting the Mediterranean itself.

For nearly four decades, AFAG has been a driving force behind advocacy for sea cave conservation, public awareness campaigns, and scientific monitoring of seal populations. Their work includes identifying key habitats, lobbying for legal protections, and educating local communities (especially fishermen, skippers, and tourists) about the importance of preserving these fragile ecosystems.

AFAG has also engaged in international collaborations, notably with the Sealcentre Pieterburen in the Netherlands, to rehabilitate injured seal pups and exchange expertise on marine mammal care. Their efforts have led to the creation of action plans, protected areas, and long-term monitoring programs along the Turkish coast, particularly in regions like Foça, Mersin, and Muğla.