納米比亞面臨海豹數量增長的威脅

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Source:
VOA | AFRICA
Namibia struggles with growing seal population that threatens fishing industry
July 10, 2024 10:37 AM

納米比亞政府認為有必要減少當地海豹的數量，因為過去幾年內海豹數量已經從130萬增加至160萬，威脅到魚類資源也影響價值百億美元的在地漁業。儘管該國境內有獵捕海豹的特許機構，但因國際海豹產品禁令使得市場需求下降，無論是海豹幼體或成體的獵捕數量都未達核可數量。雖然該國在動保團體的反對下計畫推行此政策，納米比亞海洋保護部（Ocean Conservation Namibia）的納烏德·德雷爾（Naude Dreyer）卻認為增加獵捕公海豹可能會破壞海豹一雄多雌的交配制度，最終導致海豹數量不減反增。

WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA —
Namibia will attempt to reduce the local seal population by 80,000 this year, officials recently announced, despite opposition from animal rights groups.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources said the reduction is necessary to maintain balance in the ecosystem and keep the seals from hurting the nation's fishing industry.

Seal numbers increased from 1.3 million to 1.6 million over the past three years, said Annely Haifene, executive director of the marine ministry.

She told VOA this is an indication of a healthy marine ecosystem but is also a threat to the $10 billion fishing industry, which is one of the largest contributors to Namibia’s economy, because seals prey on the fish.

Last year's seal harvest was disappointing, Haifene said, with the companies that hold rights to catch seals along Namibia's Atlantic coastline harvesting less than 50% of the "total allowable catch."

"The challenge is really the market," she said. “There is no demand for pup's products, and therefore, even if you harvest them, you will likely not get any economic sense out of the pups."

Markets for the bulls are difficult, too, she said.

The main market for seal pelts and food products is China, but demand has dropped because of an international ban on seal fur.

Last year, the total allowable catch for seal pups was 80,000. Only 3,764, or 5% of the target, was harvested. The companies harvested a larger proportion of adult seals, catching about 3,100 of the 6,000 allowed.

Haifene blamed animal rights groups for last year's the low numbers.

Naude Dreyer of Ocean Conservation Namibia said Namibia's attempts to reduce the seal population is having the opposite effect of what the ministry is trying to achieve.

"By taking out the biggest bulls in the group, you are messing with the harem structures in the groups," he said. "Normally a big bull will have up to 50 females underneath him, which he would then be fighting with other big bulls to keep them exclusively his. By taking out those big bulls, this allows much younger males to come in and do the mating.”

Namibia is the only country in the Global South where seal harvesting takes place. Other countries that harvest seals include the United States, Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Finland and Sweden.

Namibian seals live in three colonies along the country's 1,500-kilometer (932-mile) coastline.

This year's harvest is set to end in November. Authorities believe the harvest will be less than last year's due to declining interest in seal products on the international market.

Language Notes

to prey on ：補食。 ⬆
pup ：動物幼崽。 ⬆
bull ：此指公海豹。亦可指牛、鯨、象等物種的雄性個體。⬆
pelt ：( 死去動物的）毛皮，皮。 ⬆
harem：（動物學）一雄多雌制度。 ⬆

Check your comprehension!

Choose the BEST answer to each of the questions below. After you finish, highlight the parentheses to reveal the hidden answers.

1. ( B ) Why is Namibia attempting to reduce the local seal population by 80,000 this year?
(A) To create new job vacancies for the Global South
(B) To protect the fishing industry
(C) To attract Chinese tourists
(D) To comply with international regulations

2. ( C ) According to the article, which country is the main market for Namibia’s seal pelts and food products?
(A) United States
(B) Canada
(C) China
(D) Russia

3. ( C ) According to Naude Dreyer, why is Namibia's policy to reduce seals inefficient?
(A) Naude Dreyer protests against killing animals.
(B) Namibia does not have official regulations.
(C) Killing the bulls could lead to more mating opportunities.
(D) The policy does not receive international support.

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