日本の鰭脚類の管理戦略~鰭脚類管理の転換期~

摘要

There are five species of Phocidae and two species of Otaridae inhabiting Japan. Within Phocidae, 4 ice-breeding species migrate to Hokkaido during winter season: the spotted, the ribbon, the ringed and the bearded seals, while the kuril harbour seals live all year around in Hokkaido. Within Otariidae, the northern fur seals come as far as the offshore of Sanriku whereas the stellar sea lions come to Hokkaido. Historically, the population of these pinnipeds have decreased for the human usage in the past but the number have recently recovered and have increased due to the environmental change and alteration in their ecology. As a result, the conflict between fisheries and these pennipeds are becoming even more serious nowadays.