Australian Fur-seal - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Gazetted date: 24 May 2002

Profile last updated: 31 Mar 2023

Description

Grows to a maximum length of approximately 230 cm. Dark grey-brown hairy coat, with adult females paler underneath especially on the throat and chest. Appearance varies depending on the cleanliness of animal and time since last moult. Head shape is triangular.

Distribution

Reported to have bred at Seal Rocks, near Port Stephens and Montague Island in southern NSW. Haul outs are observed at isolated places along the NSW coast.

Habitat and ecology

Prefers rocky parts of islands with flat, open terrain. They occupy flatter areas than do New Zealand Fur-seals where they occur together.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Ocean

Threats

Collision with boats and other marine traffic.
Entanglement in fishing gear and marine debris.
Oil spills.
Disturbance and displacement of seals (e.g. close approach, intentional harm) from recreational fishers inhibiting the permanent recolonization of sites
Disturbance and displacement of seals at haul out and breeding sites (e.g. close approach, exposure to dogs, and intentional harm) inhibiting the permanent recolonisation of sites.
Lack of knowledge on the rates of by-catch in NSW fisheries.
Emerging diseases impacting population health including from pollution and poor water quality (e.g. persistent organic pollutants, dioxins, heavy metals, antibiotic resistant bacteria).
Climate change impacting resource availability, such as the stability of breeding and haul out sites due to storm events / sea surge, and changes to prey distribution.
Monitoring is required to assess the species population trends over time

Recovery strategies

A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.

Activities to assist this species

Swimmers should not approach within 30 m of any seal.
Planes should not approach within 300 m of any seal. Helicopters 400 m.
Access to breeding colonies should be strictly limited.

Information sources

Goldsworthy, S.D., Pemberton, D. and Warneke, R.M. (1997) Field identification of Australian and New Zealand Fur Seals, Arctocephalus spp., based on external characters. Pp. 63-71 in Hindell, M. and Kemper, C. (eds.) Marine Mammal Research in the Southern Hemisphere, Volume 1, Status, Ecology and Medicine. (Surrey Beatty and Sons, Chipping Norton)
Irvine, A., Bryden, M.M., Corkeron, P.J. and Warneke, R.M. (1997) A census of fur seals at Montagu Island, New South Wales. Pp. 56-62 in Hindell, M. and Kemper, C. (eds.) Marine Mammal Research in the Southern Hemisphere, Volume 1, Status, Ecology and Medicine. (Surrey Beatty and Sons, Chipping Norton)
Kirkwood, R., and Arnould, J.P.Y. (2008) Australian fur seal Arctocephalus pusillus (Schreber, 1775). Pp. 723-5 in Van Dyck, S. and Strahan, S. (eds.) The Mammals of Australia. Third Edition. (Reed New Holland, Sydney)
NSW Scientific Committee (2002) Australian fur-seal - Vulnerable species determination - final.
Shaughnessy, P.D., Briggs, S.V. and Constable, R. (2001) Observations on seals at Montague Island, New South Wales. Australian Mammalogy 23(1): 1-7
Shirihai, H. and Jarrett, B. (2006) Whales, Dolphins and Seals: A Field Guide to the Marine Mammals of the World. (A & C Black Publishers, London)
Smith, P.J. (2001) Review of the Conservation Status Of Marine Mammal Species In New South Wales. A report to the NSW Scientific Committee. (NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Hurstville)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Images

Australian Fur-seal pup Viridans Images Image 1 of 2.
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