This decline has been matched by similar declines in Falklands penguins and seals. These species all rely on fish and squid, which are taken in large quantities by commercial fishing fleets around the Falklands. In terms of sustainability the Falklands fishing industry is amongst the most well regulated in the world, nevertheless the removal of such large amounts of fish and squid inevitably have an impact on species which depend upon them. Elephant Seals are much larger than sealions. Elephant Seal populations have also crashed in the Falklands, with most of their previous breeding sites now lying deserted.
Elephant seals feed on fish and squid, and are capable of diving to great depths.
A Leopard Seal Leopard seals do not breed in the Falklands, but are common visitors to the Falklands, especially during the winter months. They are much slimmer than other seals, but have a strong, powerful head and jaw, used for catching prey such as penguins. . Fur Seals Fur Seals were brought to the very brink of extinction by fur traders during the last century, but populations have since recovered to a moderate level around the Falklands. Fur seals mostly feed on small crustaceans which are not commercially harvested, and Fur Seals have not declined in the way that species dependent upon fish and squid have done. Fur seals are mostly found on islands along the north and west coasts of the Falklands.