Antarctic seal numbers plummet amid melting sea ice

Antarctic seal numbers plummet amid melting sea ice
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Seal populations in the sub-Antarctic are sharply declining due to melting sea ice, according to a new study by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). Researchers tracked Weddell, Antarctic fur, and southern elephant seals on Signy Island, combining nearly 50 years of population data with satellite records of sea ice since 1982.

The study, published in Global Change Biology, found Weddell seals—dependent on stable sea ice—have declined by 54% since 1977. Antarctic fur seals, impacted by food chain disruptions, have fallen by 47%. Southern elephant seals showed similar trends but no statistically significant long-term decline.

Lead author Michael Dunn emphasized that the findings offer rare, confirmed evidence of how wildlife responds to shrinking ice over time. The research highlights the critical need for long-term ecological monitoring and raises broader concerns about the impact of climate change on the Antarctic food web.