How did international regulations help some seal species recover?

International regulations and agreements have played a critical role in the recovery of various seal species by curbing overexploitation and managing commercial harvests.

• Establishing Quotas and Restrictions: In the 1960s and 1970s, countries bordering the Caspian Sea implemented hunting quotas and regulations, such as prohibiting the taking of females on breeding grounds, to help the Caspian seal population recover from 20th-century overhunting. Similarly, following public outcry over the harvest of harp seal "whitecoats," the Canadian government introduced strict regulations, including annual quotas and humane killing requirements, which allowed the harp seal population to rebound.12
• International Treaties: Early efforts, such as the 1911 North Pacific Sealing Convention, restricted pelagic sealing to prevent the collapse of herds.3
• Global Trade Regulation: The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) provides a framework to prevent the overexploitation of species by regulating or prohibiting their international commercial trade.45

While these measures have been effective, ongoing threats such as bycatch, habitat loss, and pollution continue to challenge conservation efforts.1