Threatened species of Phocarctos hookeri
Name(s):
Threatened species of Hooker's sea lion
Threatened species of New Zealand sealion
Nature
[Phocarctos hookeri] has been threatened by commercial squid fisheries since the 1970s. Incidental catch within fishing nets is high compared to the small population size. There is a 2.4 per cent female mortality relating to incidental catches. There is also a high juvenile mortality caused by the presence of rabbit burrows.
Background
[Phocarctos hookeri] inhabit the subantarctic islands of New Zealand, between latitudes 48 and 53 degrees South. The population distribution is centered on the Auckland Islands. It is believed that it never had a larger range.
The IUCN have urged the New Zealand Government to declare a Marine Mammal Sanctuary and take effective measures to protect the New Zealand Sea Lion and promote an increase in their population. The IUCN/SSC Seal Specialist Group suggest the following conservation measures: an examination of effects of incidental catch on age and reproductive status, a revision of fishing regulations to reduce incidental mortality, the management of rabbit populations and ariel surveys and ground counts.
Incidence
There are, at most, between 10000 and 15000 [Phocarctos hookeri] in existence.
[Phocarctos hookeri] is considered by the IUCN as "Vulnerable".
Broader
Organization(s)
Type
(S) Suspect problems