MOMBETSU, Japan. — The sea ice that normally cloaks Japan’s northern coastline in the winter is receding as the oceans around here warm dramatically. Because of melting sea ice, spotted seals are pouring through the La Pérouse Strait from their traditional habitats to reach the rich fishing grounds in the Sea of Japan. Because of melting sea ice, spotted seals are pouring through the La Pérouse Strait from their traditional habitats to reach the rich fishing grounds in the Sea of Japan. “It could be that with less sea ice, fewer seals are coming here, or there may be seals who are too weak to reach the shore with the sea ice receding offshore,” she said.

Source: Washington Post February 02, 2020 16:01 UTC