Sea Lions Vs. Fishers

The California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus), lives in coastal waters up the West Coast of North America, and is a social creature both on land and in the water. 

As far as physical appearance, females are smaller and lighter than males, which are mostly dark brown or black. They also have visible ear flaps (which is my favorite thing), three to five claws on their hind flippers, and a long, narrow snout. 

Sea lions eat various prey found in the upwelling region near the coast like squid, anchovies, rockfish, and more depending on their habitat. They are also known to grab fish from commercial fishing gear, sport fishing lines, and fish passage facilities, which makes them a competitor to fisheries. 

Frustrated by the constant steals of their catch, fishers have resorted to lethal force after deterrents did not work. Despite the Marine Mammal Protection Act that was updated in 1972 to protect marine mammals that were in danger of extinction as the result of human activities, more than 700 California sea lions have washed up on shore with gunshot or stab wounds between 1998 and 2017. 

Unfortunately, most of these shootings occur without any witnesses around, which makes it difficult to convict the individuals of their crimes. Punishment for said crime is upwards of a year in prison or a $25,000 fine, and as of 2013, only five people have been convicted because of eyewitness accounts.

On April 17th, 2019, California sea lions, which miraculously have made their way to the Bonneville Dam 145 miles from the Pacific Ocean, have been put on a list for lethal removal if seen in the area on more than five occasions or eating a fish. As a result, more than ten sea lions were killed in the first month. 

Why did the criteria shift? To save 13 endangered species of Columbia Basin salmon and steelhead. 

So, I pose the question. What is the solution to avoid the lethal and inhumane killing of sea lions while still protecting endangered species and the fishers' catch? Is there a solution that makes everyone happy, or are we forced to compare what the lesser of two evils are?