Fur-seals at Heard Island: recovery from past exploitation?

Shaughnessy, Peter D.; Shaughnessy, G L; Keage, P. L.

doi:10.7882/rzsnsw.1988.014

Cited by 9 publications

(7 citation statements)

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“…On Heard Island, the first reported harvest occurred in 1855–56, when approximately 500 fur seals were reportedly taken (Shaughnessy et al , 1988b). Although actual catch data were not reported, harvesting continued until the 1870s when fur seals were thought to be exterminated (Shaughnessy et al , 1988b). Between 1947 and 1955 the maximum count of fur seals on Heard Island was 51 animals (Shaughnessy et al , 1988b).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although actual catch data were not reported, harvesting continued until the 1870s when fur seals were thought to be exterminated (Shaughnessy et al , 1988b). Between 1947 and 1955 the maximum count of fur seals on Heard Island was 51 animals (Shaughnessy et al , 1988b). The first definitive record of breeding was reported in 1963 and the population increased to 500 (1965), 3000 (1969), and 4500 (1980) animals.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Catastrophic events and recovery from low densities in populations of otariids: implications for risk of extinction

Gerber

Hilborn

2001

Mammal Review

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Two key factors in a population's risk of extinction are major population declines induced by natural or anthropogenic events (catastrophes) and whether the population's rate of growth increases or decreases at very low abundance levels. These two elements should be included in any population viability analysis (PVA), but estimates of the frequency and intensity of catastrophic events and data on the dynamics of low population densities are difficult to obtain. We examined the literature on population dynamics of otariids (fur seals and sea lions), to determine how frequently populations are subjected to major population declines, and to what extent depleted populations recover from low population size. We present frequency distributions for percentage declines for otariid life‐stages (pup, juvenile, adult female and male), and describe eight examples of events leading to a population decline of 50% or greater among otariids. We found that numerous otariid populations have been reduced to very low densities by exploitation (low enough to be thought extinct) and have recovered to levels where they are no longer at risk of extinction. This suggests that the reduction in population rate of increase at low densities in otariid populations may not be strong.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Catastrophic events and recovery from low densities in populations of otariids: implications for risk of extinction

Gerber

Hilborn

2001

Mammal Review

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“…Roger,Rogers' owndetailedjournalmakesnomention of this (Richards 1981). The existence of this earlier population is the subject of some speculation as it could suggest earlier unreported sealing (Shaughnessy et al 1988). Such unrecorded visits are, however, considered extremely doubtful (Richards 1981).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Following the report of two pups born on Heard Island in 1963 (Budd & Downes 1969), few visits were made to the island and only three pups were reported in 1969 and 1971 (Budd 1970(Budd ,1972. By the nextreport (Johnstone 1982) the number of pups had risen to about 46 and increased rapidly thereafter to 172 by 1986/87 (Shaughnessy et al 1988) and 248 by 1987/88 (P.D. Shaughnessy & S.D.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The diet of Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella (Peters) during the breeding season at Heard Island

1989

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Abstract:Between September 1987 and February 1988, Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella (Peters) at Heard Island fed mainly on fish with an average 95.2% of scats in monthly collections containing fish remains. Pelagic myctophids constituted more than 50% of fish taken by fur seals at the beginning of the summer season and again at the end when there was an influx of non-breeding male seals. During the middle period from October to December, fish from the surrounding shelf area comprised the bulk of the diet. These included various benthic nototheniid species, the bentho-pelagic ice fish Champsocephalus gunnari Lonnberg and skate (Bathyraja spp.), the latter being found in over 60% of scats in October and November. The population of Antarctic fur seals at Heard Island is increasing at about the same rate as at South Georgia. There the increase is thought to be due to the high availability of krill E. superba, but in the present study no euphausiid remains were found, so the increasing population at Heard Island has been supported on a diet of fish. Whether this population increase can be sustained in future on a diet of fish is arguable. Trial fishing around Heard Island indicates that one of the major dietary items of the seals (C. gunnari) is of probable commercial importance and therefore any plans for the establishment of a fishery on Heard Island grounds must be considered in this light.

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“…General descriptions of the geography and natural history of Heard Island were given by Keage (1981), Shaughnessy et al ( 1988) and other papers in this publication. A definitive comprehensive history of the sealing industry on Heard Island has not yet been written.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

On their own: towards an analysis of sealers' sites on Heard Island

McGowan¹

2000

PPRST

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Heard Island is possibly the remotest speck of!and on the Earth. It was only in the 1850s that the human race finally reached this most isolated of places. For the next 30 years gangs of hunters established themselves on the isolated beaches of Heard Island to slaughter the wildlife for their oil and furs and ship the products to markets half-way around the globe. The material culture remains of these enterprises survive on the beaches, comprising the remnants of the seal-hunters' camps and their processing sites. These sites provide evidence of 19th century sealing technology and the diverse ethnicity and cultural composition of the sealing gangs. Remains of sealers' camps are found on many of the beaches around Heard Island but are now extremely threatened by coastal erosion. Many of these sites include tryworks situated on raised stone platforms, a form of sealing architecture thought to be unique to Heard Island.

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Fur-seals at Heard Island: recovery from past exploitation?

Cited by 9 publications

References 0 publications

Catastrophic events and recovery from low densities in populations of otariids: implications for risk of extinction

Catastrophic events and recovery from low densities in populations of otariids: implications for risk of extinction

The diet of Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella (Peters) during the breeding season at Heard Island

On their own: towards an analysis of sealers' sites on Heard Island

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