Seals and Humans

Seals and Humans

Many humans view seals as a water creature that is fun to look at. They are often amused by their sounds, the way they arch their heads to the sun, and the way they clap their flappers. Yet not everyone out there is an avid fan of seals. Many humans compete for the same land as them. They have no conscious about destroying the natural habitat for these seals in order to meet their own selfish needs.

Seals have been known to attach humans too that come too close to them. Most of the time this is during breeding season when they have higher levels of hormones and they are more irritable. Many seals attack to protect themselves or their young because they feel threatened even if the humans around them have no intention of harming them.

Many fishermen depend on the catches they get from the waters to pay for their way of live. When seals get tangled up in their nets they end up losing their catch and they have to replace expensive equipment. Collisions between seals and boats can also result in costly repairs. The fact that both humans and seals in this scenario are competing for the same food sources in the water makes them enemies from the start.

Many fishermen are upset at the way in which seals can damage the fish and other creatures they collect from the waters. Seals can pass along parasites and viruses to them in the water. As a result it can degrade the quality of the food supply in the waters. This means the fishermen are going to get paid less for their catch than they anticipated. They won’t be happy with that at all!

Seals are very often negatively impacted by the pollution that humans release into the water and into the air. Particulars including smog, smoke, and more can affect their breathing. When there are oil spills or chemical spills in the water it can destroy a large number of seals very quickly.

The hunting of seals is illegal in many locations, but it is a sport that continues regardless. In some areas seals are used for meat and for oil. In others they are simply hunted for the sport of it. Many fishermen hunt them so that there is less to deal with in the water. They know if they remove the number of seals they will have more fish to bring in for profit.

Yet there are plenty of interactions between humans and seals that are very helpful. For example when they are identified with parasites or other viruses humans can step in to segregate the sick from the healthy. This can help to isolate the problem and for them to prevent the healthy seals from being affected as well.

It is believed that the various toxic materials found in the water and in the air from humans reduces the effectiveness of the immune system for seals. This is why they become highly susceptible to various types of viruses.

Careful observation of seals from humans has allowed us to learn a great deal about them. We understand their intelligence as well as their place in the balance of things that affect all of us. It is through such interactions of humans and seals that conservation efforts including protection and awareness have been created.  There has to be a way for humans and seals to live in harmony. For that to occur though we need to respect their natural environment. We also need to pay attention to what we are doing in the way of pollution.