New Zealand Fur-seal - profile

Indicative distribution

Loading map...

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 forsteri

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 200cm. Grey-brown coat which is paler underneath. Adult males generally have a relatively long pointed nose with a conspicuous black tip. Head is concave shape, which distinguishes it from the Australian Fur-seal which has a more triangular shaped head.

Distribution

Occurs in Australia and New Zealand. Reports of non-breeding animals along southern NSW coast particularly on Montague Island, but also at other isolated locations to north of Sydney.

Habitat and ecology

Prefers rocky parts of islands with jumbled terrain and boulders.
Feeds principally on cephalopods and fish, but also seabirds and occasionally penguins.

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 at haul out and breeding sites (e.g. close approach, exposure to dogs, and intentional harm) inhibiting the permanent recolonization of sites
Disturbance and displacement of seals (e.g. close approach, intentional harm) from recreational fishers 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

Boats should not approach within 300 m of any seal. 400 m if in a jet ski.
Swimmers should not approach within 30 m of any seal.
Planes should not approach within 300 m of any seal. Helicopters 400 m.

Information sources

Goldsworthy, S.D. (2008) New Zealand fur seal Arctocephalus forsteri (Lesson, 1828). Pp. 717-9 in Van Dyck, S. and Strahan, S. (eds.) The Mammals of Australia. Third Edition. (Reed New Holland, Sydney)
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)
NSW Scientific Committee (2002) New Zealand 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

New Zealand Fur-seal Viridans Images Image 1 of 2.
View slideshow.

Related information

Get involved

Report a sighting

Nature conservation

Threatened species