They're baaaack!

[jyasaki]

The California Sea lions have, once again, started invading the Monterey Boat Ramp at the Coast Guard Jetty.

Last time this happened (a few years ago), they ended up taking over the entire double-wide (triple wide if you can drive) ramp, and most of the restroom area adjacent to the ramp. In addition, they sank quite a few sailboats, and did a bit of damage to some of the floating docks.

The Sanctuary people showed up, but they will not do anything except remove dead animals. At least they have been warning off people who want to place their young children next to the sea lions to take a picture (Apparently, sea lion bites can be really nasty.)


jky

[willk]

Originally Posted by jyasaki

The California Sea lions have, once again, started invading the Monterey Boat Ramp at the Coast Guard Jetty.

Looks like you could use some help from those Ribnetters to your immediate North

[Bigmuz7]

So whats making them do this ? is this a common occurrence ?

[willk]

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

So whats making them do this ? is this a common occurrence ?

Yes. San Francisco, Monteray, etc., are infested with these lads (as I recall) - because no-one gives them a hard time. Next thing is they'll be driving round in Chromed up 4X4's ordering "to go" and scoring deals. Now is the time to act!

[Bigmuz7]

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7
Ok..... theres too much tolerance in the world,... I say .. pump em with lead lets have a for the benefit of the less tolerant

See when it comes to foxes and magpies shitting all over my garden, its the black widow for them

[willk]

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

Ok..... theres too much tolerance in the world,... I say .. pump em with lead lets have a for the benefit of the less tolerant

See when it comes to foxes and magpies shitting all over my garden, its the black widow for them

Originally Posted by jyasaki

In addition, they sank quite a few sailboats, and did a bit of damage to some of the floating docks.

Yeah, yeah, whatever, fish-lover! (). The first silkie that nibbles my RIB is getting a whole lot more than a wee ping on the bum.....

(Jaysus - quick edits Bigmuz7 - hard to keep up!)

[Bigmuz7]

come to think of it willk .. if I found you shitting in my garden .. you'd be getting a ball bearing in your direction too ( in the best possible taste)

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

So whats making them do this ? is this a common occurrence ?

Seems to happen every few years.

From what the biologists are saying, there was a coincidental toxic plankton bloom about the time the pups were weaned. Since Mom only stays around til the pups quit suckling, they have a) a massive change in diet from milk to fish, and b) the added toxins from the fish feeding on the plankton. They get sick, and haul out wherever they can.

In the US, pinnipeds and cetaceans are protected under the MMPA (Marine Mammal Protection Act) which, among other things, forbids the public from feeding, harassing, injuring, or killing marine mammals. The act of shooing one of these guys into the water could, in theory, draw a $10K fine.

If living by the letter of the law, I was in violation taking these pictures, as I was way closer than is proscribed. Interestingly, shortly after I was too close to these guys, I got these pics (no violation, as she came up to me.) Shots taken at about, oh, three to five feet away, within a few feet of the surface.

jky

[no excuses]

wish they would all stay down in California and quit coming up here to Oregon and Washington to eat all the salmon and steelhead in the Columbia river

[willk]

Those Canuckadians seem to have cracked the problem:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8069249.stm