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Why do some scientists consider the three harp seal populations to be separate subspecies?

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A mother harp seal and a young “whitecoat.” Adult harp seals are gray with black spots. Young harp seals are called “whitecoats,” “bedlamers,” “beaters,” or “graybacks,” depending on their age.
harp seal A mother harp seal and a young “whitecoat.” Adult harp seals are gray with black spots. Young harp seals are called “whitecoats,” “bedlamers,” “beaters,” or “graybacks,” depending on their age.

The global population of harp seals, estimated at nearly 7.5 million animals, is divided into three distinct groups based on their geographic distribution and breeding grounds: the northwestern Atlantic population, the Barents Sea population, and the population inhabiting the area between Jan Mayen Island and eastern Greenland.1

Some authorities consider these three populations to be separate subspecies because they are geographically separated and maintain distinct breeding sites.1