It is listed on CITES Appendix II. South American Fur Seals are protected and managed by laws in most of the countries where they occur. In Chile, the status of total protection was given to all Arctocephalus species in 1978 (Torres 1987, Reijnders et al 1993). In Argentina, marine mammals are under the administration of the various provinces. At the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) fur seals are protected by British law. South American Fur Seals have also been afforded protection by the establishment of numerous reserves and protected areas, including privately owned sites.

Particular attention should be paid to local populations in the Pacific. It is possible that the Peruvian and northern Chilean populations are a different stock that may qualify for a threatened status.