More sea lions are being shot and killed in the Puget Sound.
Eight have been confirmed shot in King and Kitsap counties since late September and 16 in total have been found dead so far, including one that was decapitated.
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“Historically, maybe we will see maybe one to four around this time of year. It may increase December through February, coincidental with fish runs so during that time the cases may increase a little bit. But this is a huge spike - almost eight times our normal,” said Casey Mclean, executive director of SR3, a sea life response group.
An X-ray of a necropsied sea lion shows five shotgun pellets of two different calibers lodged in the head.
“Some of them look like they do from quite a close range based on the size of the hole made in the animal or potentially where they are,” Mclean explained.
Mclean said the California sea lions are usually washing up one to three days after being shot.
She's examined many of the sea lions that have turned up dead around the Sound.
While eight were shot to death, Mclean said the other eight are still under investigation but are suspected to have died from acute trauma.
Two weeks ago, KIRO 7 spoke to a man named Bruce who didn't want to show his face on camera. He said he witnessed fishermen on Alki gunning down sea lions.
"There was about nine or 10 shots. Different guns. And there was no more barking,” Bruce recounted. “They shot five of them. From the same spot.”
It is against federal law to kill a sea lion under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Those convicted can be subject to prison time and a $25,000 fine.
“It is heartbreaking to see what's happening. Especially in this way,” Mclean added.
NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement is investigating. A spokesperson said he can't speculate on why people may be shooting sea lions but says there has been a long history of competition for fish.
For law enforcement, harassment, and other violations, please call: 1-800-853-1964
To report a dead, injured or stranded marine mammal, please call: 1-866-767-6114