Real sea lion problems - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Matt · 11-22-2009, 09:13 AM

I don't like them when they steal fish or harrass me, but I would never shoot one, and I have definitely had some scary moments with them.

taggermike · 11-22-2009, 11:01 AM

The full response with 12 heavily armed wardens smashing down the door is a bit distresseing. The shot of the little kid with the assault rifle weilding officer next to him is ugly too. They knew the fool had a gun but could they have perhaps apprehended him on his way to work with out exposing the family to that trauma? I've seen video of suspected murderers taken down with less force. Is this what we have to look forward to? Mike

desert_s10 · 11-22-2009, 02:30 PM

I don't agree with shooting seals ONLY because I cant buy a seal tag to do it legally. They did it to make an example of him. Of course there are better ways of apprehending a suspect but that doesn't make for good PR. Who do you think called the media?

Billy V · 11-22-2009, 02:40 PM

What was the reason or the circumstances for the shooting ?

dsafety · 11-22-2009, 04:12 PM

Billy,

According to the UT, the guy was pissed because the sea lion kept taking his fish. Good thing that never happens off La Jolla.

Protecting marine mammals is a good idea that has resulted in some unintended consequences. Before we became so civilized, marine mammal populations were kept in check by natural predators such as sharks and even bears or mountain lions. Many of these natural predators are now gone so the seal and seal lion populations have increased to the point where have become a nuisance to humans.

A couple familiar examples come to mind. The cute seals have won out over human children at the Children's Pool, (soon to be officially known as the "Casa Marine Mammal Preserve". The sea lions are no dummies. The have learned that it is much easier to steal bait and hooked fish from fishermen rather than earning their lunch the way it has been done for many thousands of years before Man interfered.

Now I am not suggesting that the protections that seals and sea lions currently enjoy be removed. I am suggesting, however, that we need to keep things in prospective when addressing this issue. Seals and sea lions have become a nuisance because of Man's behavior.

If we stay on the path we are currently following it is entirely possible that some local fisheries may become decimated. Not as a result of over-fishing by humans but from marine mammal overpopulation.

It's something to think about.

Bob

SeaEagle_1 · 11-22-2009, 05:14 PM

dsafety you make a great point. seal populations have exploded and is probably one of mans' best success stories in in bring a species back from the brink. and as you mentioned we have also been responsible for the loss of other natural predator. so the we have an issue. yes i think they should be protected from man, but from joe public. the boater. the yakker. the dock fisherman. but i also think that seal populations have grown bigger then at any other time, so if this is true then they are eating much more fish. and we all know that those things are NEVER full! they are very opportunistic. so maybe the MLPA should be focusing on THIS issue! lets cull the herd? lets put the meat to use. use the blubber. use ever part of that animal for good. but cull it back down to normal levels. i fear the day is coming that we are going to read in one of these forums that a kayak fisherman will be killed by a hungry seal as he had a fish on the line or was taking it off the hook.

as for the storm trouper raid on that guys house. from what i have been able to read and see everyone involved with this case from the law enforcement side are pissed that the worst they can do to the guys is charge him with a misdemeanor. its a serous issue. the man had a gun and shot an animal where people go. what if he missed? what is the angle was wrong? its the "what if's" and the gun that cause such a stern action on the DFG offices.

overkill? yes. did he pose a risk or a threat to others? no. so it was uncalled for to smash his door open the way he did. not like he was a gang banger or something like that.

but with all that said, i do hope he gets the full term in jail. one year for a misdemeanor. seals are a majestic animal. very beautiful to watch. and a smart animal that does not deserve to be shot cause its annoying you. stories like this do nothing to help our cause and can in fact do harm with all those tree huggers out there.

ok that is my two cents! LoL.

Tman · 11-22-2009, 06:23 PM

Just my thoughts...

Seals, sea lions, sea dogs, are not vegetarians. The more they multiply, the more they eat, right?

What a concept...

Now let's replace the sea dogs with sea cats...a step further, the sea cats with land cats and dogs.

Coyotes attack our household pets. Also, they have been known to attack children. In pursuit of food, they will go after anything to quench their appetite. Let's not hurt them or abuse them based on the same theory.

Now to larger cats...mountain lions. When they attack live stock, DFG, upon proof, will allow the rancher to take any measure necessary to protect his stock, thus the farmer brings in goats, which still get decimated.

So, based on this reasoning, we are to allow seals, sea lions full reign, while our land animals who have the potential to cause harm to humans, are fair game.

Unless I am missing something, each of these predators have an impact on our food chain and/or threaten our safety.

Is it safe to assume that upon the first confrontation with a human and a sea lion, they will be then categorized in the same manner as the coyote and mountain lion?

After all, we are all in search of food...

11-22-2009, 09:13 AM	#1
Matt Support your local pangas Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lj Posts: 976	I don't like them when they steal fish or harrass me, but I would never shoot one, and I have definitely had some scary moments with them. __________________ Thanks Matt F.

11-22-2009, 06:23 PM	#7
Tman BRTF...bought & paid... Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,247	Just my thoughts... Seals, sea lions, sea dogs, are not vegetarians. The more they multiply, the more they eat, right? What a concept... Now let's replace the sea dogs with sea cats...a step further, the sea cats with land cats and dogs. Coyotes attack our household pets. Also, they have been known to attack children. In pursuit of food, they will go after anything to quench their appetite. Let's not hurt them or abuse them based on the same theory. Now to larger cats...mountain lions. When they attack live stock, DFG, upon proof, will allow the rancher to take any measure necessary to protect his stock, thus the farmer brings in goats, which still get decimated. So, based on this reasoning, we are to allow seals, sea lions full reign, while our land animals who have the potential to cause harm to humans, are fair game. Unless I am missing something, each of these predators have an impact on our food chain and/or threaten our safety. Is it safe to assume that upon the first confrontation with a human and a sea lion, they will be then categorized in the same manner as the coyote and mountain lion? After all, we are all in search of food... __________________ Adios Tman Gaffer for Clay the Fishcatcher

11-22-2009, 11:01 AM	#2
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	The full response with 12 heavily armed wardens smashing down the door is a bit distresseing. The shot of the little kid with the assault rifle weilding officer next to him is ugly too. They knew the fool had a gun but could they have perhaps apprehended him on his way to work with out exposing the family to that trauma? I've seen video of suspected murderers taken down with less force. Is this what we have to look forward to? Mike

11-22-2009, 02:30 PM	#3
desert_s10 Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 36	I don't agree with shooting seals ONLY because I cant buy a seal tag to do it legally. They did it to make an example of him. Of course there are better ways of apprehending a suspect but that doesn't make for good PR. Who do you think called the media?

11-22-2009, 02:40 PM	#4
Billy V Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bay Ho Posts: 1,382	What was the reason or the circumstances for the shooting ?

11-22-2009, 04:12 PM	#5
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,123	Billy, According to the UT, the guy was pissed because the sea lion kept taking his fish. Good thing that never happens off La Jolla. Protecting marine mammals is a good idea that has resulted in some unintended consequences. Before we became so civilized, marine mammal populations were kept in check by natural predators such as sharks and even bears or mountain lions. Many of these natural predators are now gone so the seal and seal lion populations have increased to the point where have become a nuisance to humans. A couple familiar examples come to mind. The cute seals have won out over human children at the Children's Pool, (soon to be officially known as the "Casa Marine Mammal Preserve". The sea lions are no dummies. The have learned that it is much easier to steal bait and hooked fish from fishermen rather than earning their lunch the way it has been done for many thousands of years before Man interfered. Now I am not suggesting that the protections that seals and sea lions currently enjoy be removed. I am suggesting, however, that we need to keep things in prospective when addressing this issue. Seals and sea lions have become a nuisance because of Man's behavior. If we stay on the path we are currently following it is entirely possible that some local fisheries may become decimated. Not as a result of over-fishing by humans but from marine mammal overpopulation. It's something to think about. Bob

11-22-2009, 05:14 PM	#6
SeaEagle_1 Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Santa Ana/But moving to Elsinore Posts: 32	dsafety you make a great point. seal populations have exploded and is probably one of mans' best success stories in in bring a species back from the brink. and as you mentioned we have also been responsible for the loss of other natural predator. so the we have an issue. yes i think they should be protected from man, but from joe public. the boater. the yakker. the dock fisherman. but i also think that seal populations have grown bigger then at any other time, so if this is true then they are eating much more fish. and we all know that those things are NEVER full! they are very opportunistic. so maybe the MLPA should be focusing on THIS issue! lets cull the herd? lets put the meat to use. use the blubber. use ever part of that animal for good. but cull it back down to normal levels. i fear the day is coming that we are going to read in one of these forums that a kayak fisherman will be killed by a hungry seal as he had a fish on the line or was taking it off the hook. as for the storm trouper raid on that guys house. from what i have been able to read and see everyone involved with this case from the law enforcement side are pissed that the worst they can do to the guys is charge him with a misdemeanor. its a serous issue. the man had a gun and shot an animal where people go. what if he missed? what is the angle was wrong? its the "what if's" and the gun that cause such a stern action on the DFG offices. overkill? yes. did he pose a risk or a threat to others? no. so it was uncalled for to smash his door open the way he did. not like he was a gang banger or something like that. but with all that said, i do hope he gets the full term in jail. one year for a misdemeanor. seals are a majestic animal. very beautiful to watch. and a smart animal that does not deserve to be shot cause its annoying you. stories like this do nothing to help our cause and can in fact do harm with all those tree huggers out there. ok that is my two cents! LoL.