The Caspian seal (*Pusa caspica*) is an endemic marine mammal found exclusively in the Caspian Sea, notable for its small size and unique adaptation to the brackish waters of the region. Unlike true fish, the Caspian seal is a pinniped, but historically, it has been subject to commercial hunting for its fur, oil, and meat. The primary countries involved in the exploitation of Caspian seals have been Russia, Kazakhstan, Iran, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan, all of which border the Caspian Sea. During the 20th century, the Soviet Union, particularly Russia and Kazakhstan, led large-scale commercial harvests, which, combined with habitat degradation and pollution, have caused the Caspian seal population to decline dramatically. Today, commercial hunting is heavily restricted or banned in most Caspian countries due to the species’ endangered status, with only limited, often illegal, harvests persisting. Conservation efforts are ongoing, but the legacy of intensive seal harvesting remains a significant chapter in the region’s fishing and marine history.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.