**2. The results of Gruvel's work 1929–1931**

#### **2.1 Pinnipeds**

There is only one pinniped on the coasts of Syria and even then, it is quite rare—it is the monk seal (*Monachus albiventer*, Bodd.) =*Monachus monachus* (Hermann, 1779) which is found sporadically [4]. It has been seen, from time to time, some representatives frolicking more or less offshore. Since that date, monk seals have been in conflict with humans, because they feed on fish and compete with them in the catch. The fishermen hit it with spears to keep it away from the fish in the fishing nets. Since that date, monk seals have been in conflict with humans, because they feed on fish and compete with them in the catch. Thus, the monk seal has been subjected to disturbance and threat since that time, and other types of problems have been added to these threats that threaten the monk seal populations, such as urban expansion and investment of beaches, the increase in the density of tourists at sea, and the increase in marine transportation and fishing vessels. The natives, moreover, hunt these animals relentlessly when they see them, for they are extremely fond of their meats.

#### **2.2 Cetaceans**

All those who have traveled in the Mediterranean know the common dolphins *Delphinus delphis* (L., 1758) which ships, by making regular leaps out of the water, either while hunting, or simply, while playing. Among the other Delphinidae, he cites a number of forms that are only found sporadically on the Syrian coast, such as the "Blowers" (*Tursiops tursio*, 5 m long; the Grampus *Grampus griseus* Cuvier) fairly common throughout the Mediterranean and, finally, the *Globicephalus melas* (Flower) Greater Porpoise 7–8 m long. *Porpoises Phocoena communis* Cuv. are not uncommon either.

Among the Physeteridae, we can point out as making rare appearances in this part of the eastern Mediterranean [4], the largest of all—the Sperm whale (*Physeter macrocephalus* L.) which can reach 20–25 m in length and which is, in sum, fairly common in the Mediterranean. It is, moreover, one of the most cosmopolitan species and it is found everywhere, on all the seas. We know that it is through the large intestine of these large mammals that ambergris is secreted, under repeated excitation, produced on the intestinal walls, by the bites of the many beaks of Octopuses and other cephalopods, which these animals make their customary food.

A few years ago (before 1931), a Hispano-Norwegian cetacean hunting company was established near Algeciras (Spain). It hunted both sperm whales and, above all, whales, in the proportion of one of the former against 20 of the latter.

However, these large marine mammals are not confined to the approaches to the Strait of Gibraltar; they penetrate widely into the Mediterranean and have been observed fairly often in the eastern Mediterranean, off Port Said, and even beyond, on the coasts of Palestine and Syria, sporadically, however.

Among the other Physeteridae, he notes, in the Mediterranean, *Hyperoodon rostratus*, whose habitat is rather northern and its size does not exceed 10 m, another species *Zyphius cavirostris*, this is belonging to the Zyphidae family which is barely as long as the previous one and which like all the Physeteridae, feeds on octopuses and other cephalopods which it most often hunts in the deep sea. Homeric struggles occur between these large animals and octopuses of good size, from which the sperm whales emerge victoriously, it is true, but not without injuries, sometimes enormous, produced by the terrible hooks of the suction cups of the arms of certain large species abysmal.

The Baleinidae family is also represented, at least by two species. The largest in size is *Baloenoptera musculus* (Comp.) which the Norwegians designate under the name of "Finhval" which sometimes reaches up to 25 m in length and can weigh from 20 to 25,000 kg. Baleen can be nearly a meter long. This animal gives 60–70 hl of oil and 120–130 kg of baleen.

A much smaller species, often referred to as the dwarf whale, has also been reported in the Mediterranean—it is *Baloenoptera rostrata,* "waagehval" as called by the Norwegians, also referred to as the sharp-nosed whale, which normally lives in arctic regions, but often descends into the Bay of Biscay and, sometimes, into the Mediterranean.

These are the main species of Cetaceans that frequent the Mediterranean in general and which are found, sporadically, on the coasts of Syria. Their number is completely insufficient to justify the industrial exploitation of these mammals [4].
