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By Angel Torres
Thirteen sea lions have been found dead along the Washington coast since September, according to information provided by a wildlife group.
Six of the sea lions died as a result of gunshot wounds, four in the west of Seattle and two in Kitsap County, according to Seal Sitters' network of marine mammal stranders. The remaining seven died as a result of alleged acute trauma of human interactions around Kitsap County and Puget Sound, a beheaded sea lion, said Seal Sitters, an organization that responds to reports of sea lions. dead or stranded.
Marine mammals, such as sea lions, are protected in the United States by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which prohibits harassing, hunting, capturing, killing, attempting to do so. Violations of the MMPA could result in fines of up to $ 28,520 and / or one year of imprisonment. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Fisheries Administration is currently being investigated for the 13 deaths of sea lions.
"We are concerned by a number of recent reports of marine mammal deaths caused by gunfire in the Greater Seattle Area. All marine mammals are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the OLE is investigating all illegal sea lion captures, "said Greg Busch, Deputy Director of the Fisheries Law Enforcement Bureau. NOAA (OLE), in a statement.
Sea lion mortality increases at about the same time as fishing, according to Seal Sitters, as fishermen and sea lions often look for the same food.
"Animals foraging for survival and fishermen looking for fish for consumption or livelihoods follow an endless collision path every year," according to an article in the Seal Sitter blog.
To combat competition between sea lions and fishers, NOAA Fisheries has made suggestions on how to deter marine mammals from interfering in the fishery without breaking the MMPA. These include making loud noises with horns or striking, rubber bullets, pyrotechnics and water-soluble and non-lethal paintball guns.
Sea lion deaths for the period September to November are six times higher than the annual average, report Seal Sitters, but the most dangerous months for sea lions are yet to come. The group added that the highest months for sea lion deaths are in the months of December to February, parallel to the rises.
According to NOAA, between 1998 and 2017, as many as 700 California sea lions were shot and wounded, according to National Geographic. According to National Geographic, only a few people have been charged with crimes against marine life, all fishermen.
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