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Evaluating seal–seabird interactions in southern Africa: a critical review

Evaluating seal–seabird interactions in southern Africa: a critical review Through predation and displacement, the Cape fur seal Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus poses a threat to several seabird species that breed in southern Africa. Measures such as the culling of 'problem' seals have been introduced to negate the effects on these species, but there have been calls for stronger measures to be taken against seals. In this review, past evidence for direct impacts of seals on seabird populations was scrutinised. It was found that frequently the interpretation of seabird numer ical trends, or of anecdotes on seal–seabird interactions, appear biased against seals. It is mooted that, as with seal–fishery interactions, the conspicuous nature of seals and some of their behaviour may have resulted in their effects on seabird colonies or populations being overemphasised in the past. The poor conservation status of the impacted seabird species has been influenced by numerous factors, foremost of which are human interference and historical bad management practices. Culling or displacing of seals, at any scale, are unlikely to reverse trends in declining populations of seabirds, especially if conducted in isolation of other management actions, such as measures to enhance or expand the breeding habitat of seabirds. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png African Journal of Marine Science Taylor & Francis

Evaluating seal–seabird interactions in southern Africa: a critical review

Kirkman, SP
African Journal of Marine Science , Volume 31 (1): 18 – Apr 1, 2009
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Evaluating seal–seabird interactions in southern Africa: a critical review

Abstract

Through predation and displacement, the Cape fur seal Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus poses a threat to several seabird species that breed in southern Africa. Measures such as the culling of 'problem' seals have been introduced to negate the effects on these species, but there have been calls for stronger measures to be taken against seals. In this review, past evidence for direct impacts of seals on seabird populations was scrutinised. It was found that frequently the...
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Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Copyright
Copyright Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
ISSN
1814-2338
eISSN
1814-232X
DOI
10.2989/AJMS.2009.31.1.1.772
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Through predation and displacement, the Cape fur seal Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus poses a threat to several seabird species that breed in southern Africa. Measures such as the culling of 'problem' seals have been introduced to negate the effects on these species, but there have been calls for stronger measures to be taken against seals. In this review, past evidence for direct impacts of seals on seabird populations was scrutinised. It was found that frequently the interpretation of seabird numer ical trends, or of anecdotes on seal–seabird interactions, appear biased against seals. It is mooted that, as with seal–fishery interactions, the conspicuous nature of seals and some of their behaviour may have resulted in their effects on seabird colonies or populations being overemphasised in the past. The poor conservation status of the impacted seabird species has been influenced by numerous factors, foremost of which are human interference and historical bad management practices. Culling or displacing of seals, at any scale, are unlikely to reverse trends in declining populations of seabirds, especially if conducted in isolation of other management actions, such as measures to enhance or expand the breeding habitat of seabirds.

Journal

African Journal of Marine Science – Taylor & Francis

Published: Apr 1, 2009

Keywords: AFRICAN PENGUIN; CAPE FUR SEAL; CAPE GANNET; COMPETITION; CONSERVATION; CULLING; DISPLACEMENT; MANAGEMENT; PREDATION; SEAL-SEABIRD INTERACTIONS; SOUTHERN AFRICA

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