Seals (Phocidae) are marine mammals, like whales, dolphins, porpoises, walruses, and manatees.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), about one quarter of all marine mammals are threatened with extinction.
One of the most notable examples is the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus), which is classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List.
It is important to note that not all seal species are endangered. Some populations, such as the gray seal, are stable or even increasing.
However, the widespread destruction and degradation of seal habitats remains a critical global problem that demands urgent action.
This article highlights the main endangered seal species, the factors threatening their survival, and the current state of conservation efforts.
Scientific name: Cystophora cristata
Known for its robust body and aggressive behavior, the hooded seal was once abundant.
In 2006, the global population was estimated at about 592,000 individuals.
Despite these numbers, the species is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to ongoing population declines caused by hunting, habitat loss, and environmental changes.
Scientific name: Pusa caspica
A unique species found only in the Caspian Sea region.
Listed as Endangered since 2008 by the IUCN.
The population has plummeted by around 90% over the last century, with fewer than 70,000 individuals remaining by 2017.
Scientific name: Neomonachus schauinslandi
Found only in the Hawaiian Islands, making it one of the most geographically restricted seal species.
The current wild population is approximately 1,100 individuals, and it is classified as Critically Endangered.
The species faces threats from habitat loss, depleted fish stocks, entanglement in marine debris, and disease.
Scientific name: Monachus monachus
Once widespread throughout the Mediterranean, Black Sea, and adjacent Atlantic coasts, its numbers have drastically declined.
The current wild population is estimated at only 350–450 individuals.
Conservation efforts have improved its status from Critically Endangered to Endangered, with slow recovery observed mainly in the eastern Mediterranean and parts of North Africa.
Some seal species have relatively stable populations, thanks to conservation measures and sustainable management.
Examples include:
Harp seal or Greenland seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus)
Gray seal (Halichoerus grypus)
Ringed seal (Pusa hispida)
However, even these species face long-term risks from climate change, habitat degradation, and increasing human activity in the oceans.
The decline of seal populations is driven by a combination of human activities and environmental changes.
Oil pollution severely affects seals by coating their fur, reducing its insulation properties and leading to hypothermia.
Rescue teams often have to capture and clean oiled seals quickly to save their lives.
Even after cleanup, degraded habitats take time to recover and remain unsafe for seals.
Commercial and illegal hunting historically decimated many seal populations for their fur, blubber, and meat.
Bycatch in fishing nets continues to kill many seals unintentionally each year.
Seals are heavy consumers of fish (eating around 5–10% of their body weight daily), and overfishing can indirectly reduce their food supply, further threatening their survival.
Underwater noise pollution from military sonar, seismic exploration, and shipping disrupts seals’ communication, navigation, and migration, often forcing them to abandon traditional habitats.
Marine debris, including plastics and discarded fishing gear, can entangle seals or cause internal injuries and illness.
Global warming is shrinking Arctic and sub-Arctic sea ice, which many seals depend on for breeding, resting, and molting.
Scientists estimate the Earth has lost about 28 trillion tons of ice over the past 30 years, reducing critical seal habitats.
Increasing maritime traffic in coastal and polar regions leads to frequent collisions between vessels and seals, causing injuries or death.
This is particularly harmful to small and isolated populations such as the Mediterranean monk seal.
Seals reproduce slowly:
Most females give birth to only one pup per year, and roughly 15% of pups do not survive to adulthood.
This low reproductive rate makes it extremely difficult for populations to recover once they decline.
Effective conservation therefore focuses on prevention and habitat protection:
The case of the Mediterranean monk seal illustrates this challenge. In 1997, a viral outbreak killed more than two-thirds of its already tiny population.
Since then, marine protected areas, stricter hunting regulations, and community engagement have supported gradual recovery, though progress remains slow.
International organizations and conservation groups are working to:
Protect seal habitats and regulate fishing practices.
Reduce pollution and marine traffic in critical areas.
Educate local communities and the public about the importance of seal conservation.
Monitor populations with modern technologies to inform better management strategies.
Seals play a vital role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems as both predators and prey.
Their decline often signals broader problems such as overfishing, pollution, and climate change, which also threaten human livelihoods.
The survival of seals depends on global collaboration and strong, science-based conservation measures:
Preventing habitat loss and degradation
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions to slow climate change
Enforcing sustainable fishing practices
Expanding marine protected areas
Raising awareness and involving local communities in conservation efforts
By protecting seals, we help preserve the biodiversity and resilience of the world’s oceans, ensuring a healthier environment for future generations.
Bibliography
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org/
animal tags： seals
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