Loups Marin: Exploring Human Dimensions of Conflicts with Wildlife through Filmed Interviews about Gray Seals Returning to Cape Cod

Abstract

When it comes to human-wildlife conflict, wildlife is often found at fault but in reality is it us or is it them? Through the story of the return of gray seals to Cape Cod, the complexities of modern species management is shared via a short documentary titled Loups Marin (sea wolves). Once abundant, gray seals were extirpated from the Gulf of Maine after years of bounty hunting. Protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act in 1972, their numbers have steadily increased along with white sharks off the coast of Cape Cod. As the gray seal population rebounds, fish stocks have declined leading some to believe that the seals are eating too many fish along with drawing white sharks to popular beaches. Similar to misconceptions about wolves and their role in ecosystems, gray seals can be misunderstood and blamed for problems that are actually caused by people. As fisherman Doug Feeney shares, “it’s not the seal, but it's a great scapegoat.”