Harbor Seal Popul
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1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
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In the 1900s. New England's harbor and gray seals were hunted to the brink of extinction due to bounty policies aimed at reducing their population. The seals
began to make a slow comeback after the bounty was dropped in 1962, but
they continued to be hunted because of their perceived threat to the fishing
industry. In 1972, seals became a protected species under the
Marine Mammal Protection Act. Since then, both harbor and gray seal populations have
increased dramatically. What are some ways humans have negatively
impacted the seal population?
A
B
â—„ C
D
Fur traders hunted harbor seal pups for their coats.
The bounty for seals was removed before seals became a protected species.
Harbor seals are host to a variety of parasites, which may attack many body systems.
Harbor seal adults and pups can be preyed upon by killer whales, sharks, polar bears, sea lions, walruses, coyotes, and eagles.
