The subantarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus tropicalis) is a species of arctocephaline found in the southern parts of the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans.

The largest known breeding colonies are on Gough Island, in the South Atlantic, and Île Amsterdam, in the southern reaches of the Indian Ocean.

[7] About 300,000 subantarctic fur seals are remaining today, a number likely to be substantially lower than when they were first discovered in 1810, as they were hunted excessively for their pelts throughout the 19th century.

However, the species recovers rapidly, it seems, albeit in areas wherein it is protected by the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (CCAS).

[10][5] Subantarctic fur seals hunt in shallow waters at night, when myctophid fish come close to the surface.

[13] A study conducted on subantarctic fur seals at Marion Island from 1996 to 2000 concluded that Myctophid fish constituted the largest part of the seals' diet, with fish from the families Channichthyidae, Paralepididae, Nototheniidae, Microstomatidae and Notosudidae being eaten in smaller numbers.

[14] Subantarctic fur seals are unique in their tendency to occasionally travel very long distances from their home islands.

Young males have been seen travelling thousands of miles from their native habitat, being sighted in countries such as Brazil, Angola, Australia and New Zealand.

[15] In July 2015, a young male seal was caught and later released by local fishermen off the coast of Kenya, more than 4,000 miles (6.400 km) from its home.