Background

The Sub-antarctic Fur seal Arctocephalus tropicalis and Southern Elephant seal Mirounga leonine are carnivorous marine mammals of the cold southern ocean. In Australian waters, both species breed and haul out mainly on Macquarie and Heard Islands, but individuals range widely and occasionally reach the beaches of Tasmania and the Australian mainland. Both species are listed as Vulnerable under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), triggering the preparation of this recovery plan, which is set out in accordance with Part 13, Division 5 of the EPBC Act. Background information on the biology, population status and threats to the Sub-antarctic Fur seal and the Southern Elephant seal can be found at http://www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity

Objective (270(2)(a))

To maintain existing levels of protection for the Sub-antarctic Fur and Southern Elephant seals to enable population growth so that these species may be removed from the threatened species list under the EPBC Act, and to ensure that any future anthropogenic impacts are not limiting.

Threats (270(2)(ca))

Historically, the main threat to the Sub-antarctic Fur seal and the Southern Elephant seal has been hunting and over-harvest. Neither activity currently occurs.

Among the many potential threats to both seal populations are competition and interaction with legal and illegal fisheries, marine pollution of various kinds including oil and non-biodegradable debris, climatic and oceanographic change, increased predation, disease outbreaks, and direct disturbance from tourism, research or ignorant interference. At present, none of these, with the possible exception of climatic and oceanographic change, appear to present a significant threat to populations of either Sub-antarctic or Southern Elephant seals, but they may pose real risks to some individuals.

This plan only addresses anthropogenic threats that can be effectively and realistically managed.

Populations under Particular Pressure of Survival and Protective Measures (270(2)(e))

Population trends can only be detected in the long-term, but there is some evidence that Southern Elephant seal populations are no longer decreasing.

The Sub-antarctic Fur seal presents unique problems because of ‘natural’ population processes, which include hybridization and introgression, and the suspicion that immigration may be maintaining the population. Hooker’s sea lions (Phocarctos hookeri) prey on Sub-antarctic Fur seal pups on Macquarie Island. It is not the intention of this plan to address any of these processes that are natural rather than anthropogenic through active intervention.

Actions to Achieve the Objective/s (270(2)(c))