The sea mink was native to the Gulf of Maine and other areas along the Northeastern Coast of North America. The sea mink was 50% larger than the American mink, which made it a prime target of fur traders from Europe. Its fur was much redder than its American cousin, making it unique and therefore more valuable. Though some scientists think the sea mink was simply a sub species of the American mink that developed regional gigantism, it has proven a difficult thing to prove since the only confirmed specimens are skulls and jaw bones. In 2018, a mounted specimen named "Ty" was purchased from a private owner for $500 to be studied. The sea mink was hunted in the Gulf of Maine and was easier to search for than more aquatic relatives like the sea otter of the North Pacific because the sea mink was semi-aquatic. That means that even though it spent much time in the ocean hunting for fish and invertebrates, it did come back on land. Hunters would use dogs to sniff out the sea mink hiding in coastal caves and crevices. Once located, hunters would smoke the sea mink out and kill them. This proved to be an effective hunting method because by 1880 the last confirmed sea mink was killed in Jonesport, Maine in 1880. There was one additional report of a sea mink in 1894, but the size and color seemed to indicate it was a hybrid between the two mink species. Although Jurassic Park is fiction, scientists are working on several de-extinction projects. In fact, in 2003 scientists did bring back the extinct Pyrenean ibex, a type of wild goat, for 7 minutes before it died, showing de-extinction is possible. The sea mink might be a candidate for de-extinction. Scientists would potentially use DNA from the skulls and jaw bones that have been obtained from museums and private collectors. If "ty" is confirmed to be a sea mink, DNA from Ty's pelt could also be used. If the sea mink did return to the Gulf of Maine, would it be able to survive? Many efforts in the sea mink's home range have been made by the United States & Canada since 1880. Animals like the Atlantic puffin and reestablishing nesting areas in that region again. Hunting regulations and laws like the Endangered Species Act would potentially help the sea minks to survive. Minks have long been raised in captivity for their fur, so breeding them would not be a problem. Once a population was established would they be able to thrive in their home region?