UPDATE 11/25/18
In response to the many media inquiries, Seal Sitters MMSN would like to confirm that the numbers of confirmed shot and “suspected” shot sea lions is significantly higher than normal for this annual time period. A query of the NOAA National Marine Mammal Stranding database, looking back at 10 years of statistics for King and Kitsap counties, indicates that the current confirmed number of shot sea lions is 6 times higher than the yearly average for months September-November. This only reflects the number of found and reported animals. With seven additional suspect animals, that number is expected to increase. The “high” season for shot sea lions (Dec/Jan/Feb) is still to come, concurrent with fish runs.


SHOT SEA LION NUMBERS RISE (11/21/18)
In what is an alarming trend in Puget Sound, dead California sea lions continue to be found along the shoreline as biologists scramble to perform necropsies and determine cause of death.

Since September, 13 have been reported dead: 12 in Central Puget Sound and 1 on the Kitsap side of Hood Canal. Of those, 6 have been necropsied thus far and confirmed shot: 4 in West Seattle and 2 in Kitsap County. This past week, a sea lion carcass washed up in a small cove near Salty’s restaurant in West Seattle. The head had been sliced off. Due to decomposition, a necropsy was not performed. In view of potential delays securing an EPA permit for towing and sinking, Seattle Parks buried the huge carcass today on site.

All 13 animals are acute trauma cases (suspected from human interaction), based on body condition, other observations and photos. Unfortunately, several of the animals disappeared with the tide before exams could be done.

Sadly, this is just the beginning of what is likely to be a very deadly Fall/Winter season for sea lions and seals. Shootings not so coincidentally increase in correlation with fish runs, year-round. According to those who live and work along the Elliott Bay and Duwamish waterfront, shots are being heard even more frequently this year. Animals searching for food to survive and fishermen searching out fish for consumption or livelihood are on an annual, never-ending collision course.

Marine Mammals are protected by Federal law. It is illegal for a private citizen to “take” (kill, injure or harass) pinnipeds (seals and sea lions), with fines up to $25,000 and imprisonment. In certain, limited circumstances, tribal fisheries can do so. There is an active and open investigation into these killings by OLE and WDFW Enforcement. For NOAA’s official statement, please click here. For inquiries, please contact Michael Milstein, NOAA Public Affairs Officer @ 503-231-6268.

REPORT INCIDENTS
Please be on the alert. NOAA urges the public to report any information or incidents (shooting or harassment) they see or hear to NOAA Office of Law Enforcement (OLE): during regular business hours, call 206-526-6133, after hours 1-800-853-1964.

For time-sensitive reports as events are happening, call 911. After reporting to local police, request to be connected to WDFW Police. Afterwards, please notify your local Marine Mammal Stranding Network.

Valuable information for investigation and prosecution includes the type of boat, license number on side of vessel (even partial is helpful), time/location and photos. Do not put yourselves at risk.

REPORT ALL DEAD PINNIPEDS
If you see a dead marine mammal in West Seattle (from Brace Point thru the Duwamish River, including Harbor Island), please call Seal Sitters hotline @ 206-905-7325 (SEAL). For reports out of WS area, please all NOAA’s hotline at 1-866-767-6114. To find out which Marine Mammal Stranding Network covers your area, click here.

For all Blubberblog posts, past and present, relating to sea lion shootings, click here.

Tags: sea lion shootings, shot sea lions 2018

Necropsies were performed today on the two dead California sea lions that washed ashore in West Seattle this week. Evidence of bullet wounds and projectiles were found in both adult males, one with extensive internal damage. The skulls were removed and will be radiographed early next week and should reveal more conclusive results. Rib cages and many of the organs were taken for further examination for damage and projectiles.

It was truly a collaborative effort of the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network partners. Shown above, WDFW marine mammal biologist Dyanna Lambourn and SR3’s Casey McLean examine entry wounds on one of the sea lions. Sno-King Marine Mammal Response Lead Investigator Rachel Mayer assisted.

Seal Sitters MMSN First Responders and volunteers provided support with photo documentation and entry of data, kept the area secure and educated the public. NOAA’s Brad Hanson and fellow orca researcher Mark Sears, who were headed out to observe J and K pods, offered to tow one of the massive sea lions with their inflatable research boat to Don Armeni boat launch, where the necropsy crew was standing by.

After the first animal had been worked up, Laura James and colleague Rick Rasmussen rounded Duwamish Head in his Boston Whaler to fetch the second dead animal, wedged along the shoreline below Alki Avenue. They returned with the fresh dead animal in tow.

Many thanks to Seattle Parks’ Carol Baker and the crew from the Heavy Equipment department, whose backhoe lifted the carcass remnants (many hundreds of pounds) into the bed of WDFW’s pickup so that the remains could be properly disposed of.

Thanks to everyone who went the extra mile to make sure these two beautiful animals were properly examined - and prove that they had indeed been shot. Evidence will be turned over to NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement for investigation.

Please be on the alert. NOAA urges the public to report any information or incidents they see or hear to NOAA Office of Law Enforcement: during regular business hours, call 206-526-6133, after hours 1-800-853-1964.

Tags: sea lion shootings, shot sea lions 2018

Commonly seen gracefully navigating the waters of Seattle’s Elliott Bay, California sea lions’ rowdy barking can be heard for almost a mile as they jostle for position to rest on the mid-channel buoys.

The numbers of these gregarious animals increase in fall months as they migrate to our area in search of food. Coinciding with fishing season and salmon runs, sea lion killings also increase each fall. Seals and sea lions are too often scapegoated for dwindling fish stocks - and pay the ultimate price with their lives.

For almost two months now, dead sea lions have been washing up along West Seattle’s shoreline. Since early October, necropsies revealed that two animals had been shot in the head (confirmed by radiographs). Projectiles were recovered and turned over to NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement for what is an open and active inquiry.

In just the past week, Seal Sitters’ First Responders have investigated three more deceased sea lions. In the photo above, SSMMSN Co-Investigator Lynn Shimamoto photo documents the condition of an 8-foot, fresh dead male below the Alki Avenue sea wall. A limited initial exam, due to surging tide, revealed a bleeding, small circular wound on the animal’s back along with additional wounds of unknown origin.

Due to location and tide, responders were unable to secure the sea lion to shore. The hope is to tow the now floating carcass to a secure location for a necropsy. The animal was marked with biodegradable livestock paint for identification and was last sighted near Duwamish Head yesterday.

Early yesterday morning, Lynn responded to yet another report of a dead sea lion, floating just offshore near the public fishing pier. With the help of divers Jim and Joe, Seal Sitters volunteer and Co-Director of SR3 Casey McLean (photo above), and Lynn managed to tie the 9-foot robust animal, estimated to weigh about 900 lbs, to beach driftwood. An initial exam revealed three wounds on the head and shoulder of this fresh-dead animal that may have contributed to death. Seal Sitters has initiated a plan for necropsy and disposal.

Additionally, there are four suspected acute trauma cases (possibly shot) on the Kitsap peninsula, a similar report of a case in Hood Canal and reports of three other possible cases from neighboring Marine Mammal Stranding Networks. These are just the cases we are aware of and likely the tip of the iceberg. Due to EPA permit restrictions regarding disposal of carcasses, these necropsies have been stalled until the permits come through, often taking weeks to be issued.

All marine mammals are protected from harm by Federal law, the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Over the past weeks, Seal Sitters hotline (206-905-7325) and first responders have received numerous reports of violence against sea lions and shots fired, often at night. A caller from South Park also reported witnessing a fishing boat intentionally run over and strike a sea lion in the Duwamish River.

NOAA urges the public to report any information or incidents they see or hear to NOAA Office of Law Enforcement: during regular business hours, call 206-526-6133, after hours 1-800-853-1964. A vigilant public - eyes and ears along the waterfront - is a valuable resource for enforcement and might help solve these potential crimes.

Tags: sea lion shootings, shot sea lions 2018