Why the latest sea-lion carcass on West Seattle’s shore doesn’t add to the toll

The photo and report are from David Hutchinson of Seal Sitters:

This morning, Seal Sitters responded to a report of a sea-lion carcass floating near the shore in Cove #1 (just north of Salty’s). On examination, it has been determined that this is the same dead animal that was reported to our Hotline back on November 8th. At that time, it floated away before we were able to arrange for retrieval. Due to the current state of decomposition, a necropsy is not planned at this time. The green “W.S.” marking is placed with biodegradable paint so that the carcass can be identified if it happens to float to a different location.

To report any marine mammal, alive or dead, on West Seattle beaches, please call the Seal Sitters’ Hotline at 206-905-7325.

This is one of five dead California sea lions found on area beaches this fall. As reported here, the previous two were necropsied at Don Armeni Boat Ramp on Thursday and both were found to have gunshot wounds. Federal authorities are investigating.

6 Replies to "Why the latest sea-lion carcass on West Seattle's shore doesn't add to the toll"

  • Mike November 18, 2018 (2:56 pm)

    I hope that they do more to look into causes of these deaths.  The most recent two seemed to be handgun or rifle (bullet, possibly slugs from a shotgun) wounds that killed them.  However, it’s been common recently in other areas where fisherman are using shotguns (lots of tiny punctures from steel and/or lead shot).  All uses of a firearm to kill or hurt animals which are not legally hunted or killed to protect human life and property is outlawed.  Sea Lions cannot be hunted, the ONLY time they’ll endanger a human is when the human puts the Sea Lion at risk, it’s protecting itself.  They need to find those who are killing the sea lions, charge them, fine them and let them rot in prison.  Poaching is illegal, period.

  • TJ November 18, 2018 (7:50 pm)

    People can’t try to take action on their own on the massively overpopulated sea lion and seal population. Firing weapons in Elliot Bay is a terrible choice and those responsible are facing serious charges. Pressure must be put on government to quit turning their backs to this overpopulation problem and thin these populations by 50%. 

  • vince747 November 18, 2018 (11:44 pm)

    I am confused, aren’t sea lion part of the Orca diet?  How is sea lion overpopulated but Orca starving?  

    • WSB November 18, 2018 (11:48 pm)

      The Southern Resident Killer Whales, the group that’s starving, eat fish. The transient orcas (Bigg’s Whales) have a different diet, including seals/sea lions.

  • anonyme November 19, 2018 (6:57 am)

    Pressure should be put on governments to address the problem of human overpopulation, the elephant in the room that no politician will touch.  It is human consumption and human greed that are causing declining numbers of salmon – not sea lions, as fishermen with a vested interest love to claim.  The amount of fish “harvested” every year far exceeds what is necessary for the population to recover.  As to this newly re-discovered sea lion corpse, it seems like they could at least run a metal detector over it to look for bullets.  I hope these perpetrators are caught and severely punished – but I won’t hold my breath.

  • Citizen of WS November 20, 2018 (3:17 pm)

    This is what will happen to the person(s) if caught.”Any person who knowingly violates any provision of this subchapter or of any permit or regulation issued
    thereunder (except as provided in section 1387 of this title) shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than
    $20,000 for each such violation, or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.”https://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/legislation-marine-mammal-protection-act.pdf

Sorry, comment time is over.