Vulnerable Seals

The Northern Fur Seal is affected by pollution through oil spills and debris found in the ocean.  Seals use their thick fur for thermoregulation. When they become covered in oil their body cannot function properly  to warm them and many die from hypothermia. When seals or other marine mammals come up for air the oil can possibly irritate their eyes or skin. The seal colonies found at the California Channel and Farallon Island are at a large risk for oil spills because they are located by major harbors, shipping lanes and offshore oil extraction facilities.  Norther Fur Seals can get entangled by old fishing gear, or marine debris. The seals sometimes compete with fishing companies for their food. For instance, if they are found in areas with a large population of Walleye Pollock they are at a higher risk of getting lost in debris because fishing companies will be setting up their nets there. Plastic is used for a lot of fishing gear such as packing bands or some net materials. Mortality rates from these incidents are highest for juveniles and subadults and the rates are pretty equivalent for males and females. The rate was highest during the 1980’s because fishing efforts in the Bering Sea and North Pacific increased but becoming caught in debris is still a huge problem today.

Another extinction driver for Northern Fur Seals is harvesting. This species was discovered in the 18^th century and continued to be harvested until 1984. Other than the occasional harvest by certain Northern populations, levels of collection are declining because international agreements have been put in place to stop the exploitation of this species. They were also affected by the fur trade in the 18^th centuries before they were protected by the North Pacific Fur Seal Convention of 1911(Preservation and Protection of Fur Seals).

Bibliography: Preservation and Protection of Fur Seals, Web Source: Convention
IUCN Red List Information for Northern Fur Seals, Web Source: IUCN
Image Information: Seal Caught in Fishing Gear, Web Source: The Conversation
Seal with Gear Wrapped around Neck, Web Source: Pinterest