Anonymous
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Nine sea lions shot dead in two days near Ensenada
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanluisobispo/news/politics...
May 13, 2005
MEXICO CITY - Mexico's environmental protection agency is investigating the deaths of nine sea lions whose corpses were found with bullet holes in a
bay in the western state of Baja California, authorities said Friday.
Five sea lions that had been shot were found on a beach in Ensenada Bay on Wednesday and four more were recovered a day later, according to a
statement released by the agency. Why someone would target the creatures was not clear.
"We're gathering all the necessary elements to bring the corresponding penal complaint before the federal attorney general's office," said Juan Jose
Araiza Ruiz, a federal environmental investigator.
An Ensenada Bay resident called the environmental agency early Wednesday to report gunfire in the area the night before, according to Ricardo
Castellanos, an agency representative.
Officials began patrolling the area after dark in the wake of the tip, but were unable to detect who was behind the shooting overnight Wednesday, he
said.
Ruiz said federal authorities were "urging people to come forward with any information that could be helpful in clearing up this matter."
Sea lions mating season runs from March to July, meaning the population in Baja California grows substantially, he said.
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Sharksbaja
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strange?
It seems strange that the police were not the primary respondants to gunfire.
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Diver
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I wish they would shoot some here !
The sea lions have come up the Columbia River and have even gotten into the fish ladder and viewing pond inside the Bonneville dam.
What a catch 22 for the evironmentalist crowd; the salmon runs are endangered as are the sea lions, but the sea loins are killing thousands of salmon.
The idiots are shooting paint balls and noismakers at the sea lions.
Of course, to no avail.
The problem has been increasing over the past few years. Next year, they say they will spend a few more hundred thousand taxpayer dollars to install a
sea lion fence at the fish ladder. All resonable people already know that his will not solve the whole problem either.
IDIOTS control our contry and spend our tax dollars; anyone heard about Jericocuara, Brazil ? Maybe a nice place to move ?
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Diver
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I hear the smoked seal recipe works for sea lion as well !!
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Anonymous
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We could always go swimming, and try to reason with them...
If we could keep their teeth out of our butts.
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Sharksbaja
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It ain't the sea lions fault.....try the Marine Mammal Act
Fact is, we spent millions upon millions to save salmon, and millions more to protect marine mammals. Pretty much uncontrolled growth, and the lack of
any comprehensive plan to cull or otherwise control populations of marine mammals, and in particular seals and sea lions. The animals have now been
reprogrammed to vie for food up close and personal with humans. They are intelligent enough to know that they are not in danger in their unhampered
quest to devour the easy pickings the dams have created.
Salmon and trout and a host of other fish that travel up and down the NW rivers would not be at such a disadvantage if the waterway was easier to
navigate.
What are the long term ramifications of the exponential increase in sea lions?
In 2004 and into this year there has been a reduction in local salmon landings and this was reflected coastwide. This comes on the heels of 4 very
productive salmon years. It becomes hard to make clear the problem but it seems to me that the (initial)recovery of wild chinook stocks occured at
about the same time the marine mammal act started to increase the animal numbers at a phenomenal rate.
In an attempt to relocate a number of the persistent feeders the US Fish and Game along with several other state and local agencies transported the
captured sea lions to a location more than 500 miles south. Most of the animals were back within a week.
Man, what a problem. The salmon are at such a distinct disadvantage. The proposed ladder may not help as much as thought. This is because the sea
loins will find the salmons' necessary path and will just wait at the bottom. Or who knows maybe with some coaching we could train them to climb it.
The tourists would love it.
I think it could work if the put excluders or a series of narrow channels leading up to the ladders.
It's wierd here in Newport, Or. When the killer whales come into the bay seeking tastey sea lions the stupid Coast Guard rushes out to escort them
away. It is ironic that the sea lions natural enemy(another protected mammal) is not allowed to hunt it's own food naturally. When they were asked
the reason for the escort. The CG responded" it's for the sake of the tourist". Not the safety, but the sake. Good lord! What a bunch of crap! More
like self appointed sea lion guardians of the bay.
One thing is for sure.... they are overwelming the salmon and need reducing. Bring in the "Killers" whales that is.
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