Sea lions killed near Seattle

[Anonymous]

SEATTLE - A harbor seal and at least four sea lions, including one listed as endangered, were shot to death near Seattle, authorities said Friday. One was a Steller sea lion protected by the federal Endangered Species Act. The others were smaller, more common California sea lions listed under the Marine Mammals Protection Act.

National Marine Fisheries Service spokesman Brian Gorman said an investigation was under way because it's illegal in most cases to shoot any kind of sea lion or seal. Shooting these mammals can result in fines of up to $50,000, he said.

Wildlife photographer Robin Lindsey said she was shocked at the sight of the dead male Steller sea lion that appeared to be 8 to 10 years old and weigh about 1,200 pounds.

West Seattle residents have reported at least one other sea lion carcass was floating in Puget Sound, Gorman said.

At least one sea lion is found dead near Seattle each year, but five was an unusually large number, Gorman said.

"It's impossible for us to say right now where these animals were shot," he said. "Or even if it was one shooter."

Wildlife biologists believe the animals were dead for a week or two before their carcasses came to shore in several places.

Seattle has a love-hate relationship with California sea lions, which are accused each year of eating too many threatened spring Chinook salmon.

"Some people don't like them," Gorman said of the seals, pointing out the irony that sport fishermen want to do exactly what the sea lions do: eat salmon.

[Bodofish]

To bad they got a Harbor Seal, that's the only one that belongs here. The State and Feds have been pussy footing around this problem for years. Unfortunately the only side that seems to get any press is the few that want them saved at the expense of everything else.

[G-Man]

It was only a matter of time before this happened. I've not ever seen seals as bold as they were this year when it came to stealing a fish at the boat. As tragic as it may be, at least a few more native steelhead will make it to their spawning grounds.

PS - I'm not sure who was giving the reporters their info, but I'm pretty confident that these seals weren't targeting springers.

[datsun]

We have protected the sea Lions long enough. Way too long in fact. How many fish do you think a 1200 pound sea-lion eats a year?


http://www.swbg-animals.org/animal-info ... n/diet.htm was educational.

FOOD INTAKE
1.

Based on records of animals at SeaWorld, adult California sea lions eat about 5% to 8% of their body weight per day (6.8-18.2 kg or 15-40 lb.).

so 50-80 lbs of fish a day for that big fella.

So we will just say 40 to be conservative. 40lbs of fish a day for a year. That works out to 14600 lbs of fish a year for that big fella.

Even if that was wrong by half, that would be 7300 Pound of fish.

Salmon, rockfish, Steelhead would all benefit from having 1/2 as many Sea lions out there.


Dont get me wrong, I'm not advocating for anyone to go out there and murder these animals. But I think some sort of change needs to happen.

[spindog]

It should read "sea lions killed again" I remember 6 or so shot and tied together drifting. Now that's a strong message!
Both commercial and sports fisherman have had enough. My buddy allmost got bit windsurfing off Richmond beach by a
unhappy sea lion, it tried to bite him as he passed by going fast........... I dont think he owns any guns? LOL