New Zealand Fur Seal: Arctocephalus forsteri

Summary The New Zealand fur seal, Arctocephalus forsteri (also referred to in Australia as the long-nosed fur seal), is one of the fur seal species in the genus Arctocephalus . New Zealand fur seals have a widespread distribution from the New Zealand and Australian subantarctic islands through to temperate northern New Zealand and southern Australia. Similar to most Otariidae (eared seal) species, New Zealand fur seals were hunted to near extinction during the 19th century sealing era. However, since becoming protected their numbers and range have increased steadily, although they have not yet expanded to what was thought to be their presealing population levels or distribution. Like many pinnipeds, a primary threat to New Zealand fur seals is fishing-related mortality via both direct (mortality) and indirect (entanglement, resource competition) interactions.