Arctocéphale des Galapagos

Similar to all southern fur seals there was a severe reduction of Galápagos Fur Seals as a result of 19th century exploitation by sealers and whalers. The species was near extinction early in the 20th century and has since recovered. Hunting was prohibited (but not necessarily stopped) in 1934, and additional protection was provided in 1959 when more than 80% of the Galápagos archipelago was declared a National Park (Trillmich 1987).
 
El Niño events dramatically elevate mortality rates of all age classes, but primarily of juveniles, and cause population declines; this is due to the dramatic decline in productivity around the archipelago during these events (Trillmich and Limberger 1985). Oceanographers differ in their predictions of how the frequency and intensity of El Niño events may change with climate warming. Cai et al. (2014) suggest that the total number of El Niño events will decrease slightly, but the total number of extreme events will double as global warming continues. In contrast, Santoso et al. (2013) predict a doubling of the frequency of El Niño events with global warming. In the historical long-term perspective offered by Cobb et al. (2013) the frequency of El Niño during the last 50 years is unusually high, but still within the range of variability observed over the last 7,000 years. The most likely projection seems to be that El Niño events will be more frequent, and perhaps stronger, in the immediate future. In their review of otariid extinctions, Gerber and Hilborn (2001) conclude that for species subject to El Niño impacts, "the concern about species recovery should focus on changes in frequency of El Niño events".

Tourism in the Galápagos, which is an Ecuadorian National Park, is heavy and increasing, but regulated, and Fur Seals are fully protected. Episodes of entanglement in local net fisheries have been reported and are thought to be increasing over the last years (Alava and Salazar 2006). An increasing number of fast travelling fiberglass boats with strong outboard engines could occasionally cause mortality through collisions with Fur Seals resting at sea. Feral dogs on Isabela Island, which had killed Fur Seals of all ages, have been exterminated. This problem could occur again if other feral dogs find their way to colony sites.

Like all fur seals, Galápagos Fur Seals are vulnerable to oil spills because of their dependence on thick pelage for thermoregulation. Although there is limited large vessel traffic in the Galápagos archipelago, particularly in the areas of greatest fur seal abundance, numerous small and medium sized vessels operate in the area that could release moderate quantities of oils, fuels, and lubricants if involved in a marine accident. The level of contamination with pollutants is at present not alarming, but needs to be monitored (Alava et al. 2011). Infectious diseases occur commonly in pinnipeds and may have substantial impacts on their populations.

Galápagos Fur Seals have experienced up to 80% declines from El Niño-caused ocean warming (Salazar 2002, Alava and Salazar 2006) and associated reduced marine productivity (Trillmich and Dellinger 1991), but this estimate is most likely too high as it did not take into account increased time at sea during warm water periods. Therefore, although the effects of global climate change on this species and its habitat are uncertain at this time, it is possible that any climate change-related disruption of present day ocean currents would adversely affect this species through reduced levels of marine productivity.

The Galápagos Fur Seal population will always be vulnerable to a variety of threats because of the species' restricted breeding distribution to a relatively small part of an archipelago of islands.

Galápagos Fur Seals were protected under Ecuadorian law in the 1930s, and since 1959 with the establishment of the Galápagos National Park, by the Administration of the Park. The waters around the islands are also protected by a 40 nautical mile no fishing zone. Tourism is regulated and most visitors are escorted by a trained Park Naturalist. The species is listed on CITES Appendix II.