Population changes of Antarctic fur seals at Nyroysa, Bouvetoya

Antarctic fur seal Arctocephalus gazella pup production at Nyroysa, Bouvetoya was estimated to be approximately 15,000 per annum during each of four summers from 1996 to 2002, indicating a total population of about 66,000. While the Bouvetoya population is the second largest for this species, pup production at this site still accounts for only 2.4% of the global total. This population experienced a mean annual rate of increase of 30.6% for the period 1989-1996, perhaps due, in part, to significant immigration, but has been stable since 1996. Historical accounts of significant numbers of animals being present towards the end of the period of sealing (C.1800-1930), indicate that the geographic isolation and inaccessibility of this site may have resulted in the Bouvetoya population being one of three populations that survived a series of periods of extreme exploitation of this species.