Evaluating threats to South Shetland Antarctic fur seals amidst population collapse
Abstract Antarctic fur seals ( Arctocephalus gazella ) are an iconic marine mammal, an important component of Antarctic ecosystems, and a key indicator species for regional fisheries management. Recent studies have demonstrated Arctocephalus gazella is composed of at least four distinct subpopulatio...
Published in: | Mammal Review |
---|---|
Main Authors: | , , , , , |
Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Wiley
2023
|
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/mam.12327 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/mam.12327 |
id |
crwiley:10.1111/mam.12327 |
---|---|
record_format |
openpolar |
spelling |
crwiley:10.1111/mam.12327 2024-10-13T14:03:13+00:00 Evaluating threats to South Shetland Antarctic fur seals amidst population collapse Krause, Douglas J. Brownell, Robert L. Bonin, Carolina A. Woodman, Samuel M. Shaftel, Douglas Watters, George M. 2023 http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/mam.12327 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/mam.12327 en eng Wiley http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ Mammal Review volume 54, issue 1, page 30-46 ISSN 0305-1838 1365-2907 journal-article 2023 crwiley https://doi.org/10.1111/mam.12327 2024-09-17T04:48:18Z Abstract Antarctic fur seals ( Arctocephalus gazella ) are an iconic marine mammal, an important component of Antarctic ecosystems, and a key indicator species for regional fisheries management. Recent studies have demonstrated Arctocephalus gazella is composed of at least four distinct subpopulations, including one breeding on the South Shetland Islands. These South Shetland Antarctic fur seals (SSAFS) are the highest latitude population of otariids in the world. As such, this subpopulation faces a unique array of environmental and ecological challenges, harbours a disproportionately large reservoir of genetic diversity for the species, and has experienced catastrophic population decline in the last 15 years (2008–2023). We review the array of current and potential threats to the successful recovery of SSAFS. If decision makers wish to promote resilience and support a robust population of this species with future recovery potential, actions are needed to address threats ranging from uncertain to critical, including debris entanglement, climate change, incidental mortality, and resource competition with the krill fishery. In particular, the risks associated with overlap in the spatial and temporal distribution of the young of the year and the krill fishery should be addressed carefully. There is an urgent need for updated population estimates for all Antarctic fur seal subpopulations, analysis on the population viability of the SSAFS, and further characterising summer and winter foraging behaviours to better inform potential conservation actions. Article in Journal/Newspaper Antarc* Antarctic Antarctic Fur Seal Antarctic Fur Seals Arctocephalus gazella South Shetland Islands Wiley Online Library Antarctic South Shetland Islands Mammal Review |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
Wiley Online Library |
op_collection_id |
crwiley |
language |
English |
description |
Abstract Antarctic fur seals ( Arctocephalus gazella ) are an iconic marine mammal, an important component of Antarctic ecosystems, and a key indicator species for regional fisheries management. Recent studies have demonstrated Arctocephalus gazella is composed of at least four distinct subpopulations, including one breeding on the South Shetland Islands. These South Shetland Antarctic fur seals (SSAFS) are the highest latitude population of otariids in the world. As such, this subpopulation faces a unique array of environmental and ecological challenges, harbours a disproportionately large reservoir of genetic diversity for the species, and has experienced catastrophic population decline in the last 15 years (2008–2023). We review the array of current and potential threats to the successful recovery of SSAFS. If decision makers wish to promote resilience and support a robust population of this species with future recovery potential, actions are needed to address threats ranging from uncertain to critical, including debris entanglement, climate change, incidental mortality, and resource competition with the krill fishery. In particular, the risks associated with overlap in the spatial and temporal distribution of the young of the year and the krill fishery should be addressed carefully. There is an urgent need for updated population estimates for all Antarctic fur seal subpopulations, analysis on the population viability of the SSAFS, and further characterising summer and winter foraging behaviours to better inform potential conservation actions. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Krause, Douglas J. Brownell, Robert L. Bonin, Carolina A. Woodman, Samuel M. Shaftel, Douglas Watters, George M. |
spellingShingle |
Krause, Douglas J. Brownell, Robert L. Bonin, Carolina A. Woodman, Samuel M. Shaftel, Douglas Watters, George M. Evaluating threats to South Shetland Antarctic fur seals amidst population collapse |
author_facet |
Krause, Douglas J. Brownell, Robert L. Bonin, Carolina A. Woodman, Samuel M. Shaftel, Douglas Watters, George M. |
author_sort |
Krause, Douglas J. |
title |
Evaluating threats to South Shetland Antarctic fur seals amidst population collapse |
title_short |
Evaluating threats to South Shetland Antarctic fur seals amidst population collapse |
title_full |
Evaluating threats to South Shetland Antarctic fur seals amidst population collapse |
title_fullStr |
Evaluating threats to South Shetland Antarctic fur seals amidst population collapse |
title_full_unstemmed |
Evaluating threats to South Shetland Antarctic fur seals amidst population collapse |
title_sort |
evaluating threats to south shetland antarctic fur seals amidst population collapse |
publisher |
Wiley |
publishDate |
2023 |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/mam.12327 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/mam.12327 |
geographic |
Antarctic South Shetland Islands |
geographic_facet |
Antarctic South Shetland Islands |
genre |
Antarc* Antarctic Antarctic Fur Seal Antarctic Fur Seals Arctocephalus gazella South Shetland Islands |
genre_facet |
Antarc* Antarctic Antarctic Fur Seal Antarctic Fur Seals Arctocephalus gazella South Shetland Islands |
op_source |
Mammal Review volume 54, issue 1, page 30-46 ISSN 0305-1838 1365-2907 |
op_rights |
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1111/mam.12327 |
container_title |
Mammal Review |
_version_ |
1812819639272472576 |