The crabeater seal is the most numerous species of pinniped in the world, with a population estimated at between 15 and 40 million. Since its habitat is remote, the only concerns for conservation are indirect. Trace amounts of chemicals such as DDT have been found in populations of the crabeater seal, and if the fishing industry decides to use the krill in the Antarctic seas, the major food source of these seals may be severly depleted (Kooyman 1981). Now, however, its numbers appear to be stable.

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern