Sergey Markov of Dive Systems Malta has taken this footage of a rare monk seal first seen off the southwest coast of Malta last week.

This was the first time in decades that a monk seal was spotted in Maltese waters. 

While native to the Mediterranean region, human activity has driven the species to now being classified as vulnerable but increasing, with a population thought to be less than 1,000.

The last official recorded sighting of the animal dates back to the late 1990s, according to the Environment and Resources Authority.