The New Zealand fur seal (*Arctocephalus forsteri*) is not a fish, but rather a marine mammal native to the waters surrounding New Zealand and southern Australia. Historically, these seals were heavily hunted for their pelts and oil in the 18th and 19th centuries, with sealing operations led primarily by British, Australian, and American sealers. The intense exploitation caused dramatic declines in their populations, leading to the near-extirpation of the species in many areas. Today, commercial hunting of New Zealand fur seals is banned in both New Zealand and Australia, and the species is protected by law. As a result, there is no modern fishing industry targeting this species, and their populations have been gradually recovering. Conservation efforts now focus on monitoring populations and mitigating threats such as fisheries bycatch, rather than commercial harvest.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Zealand | 262 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.