by
Jennifer Dart
The Westerly News
March 29, 2006
Sea lions have been sighted in near shore waters recently,
feeding on spawning herring and causing some concern among local surfers.
Although no encounters
have been reported to Pacific Rim National Park Reserve since 2004, Warden
Service Area Manageer for the Long Beach unit, Pete Clarkson, says current
sea lion hot spots are Cox Bay and Wickaninnish Beach.
The sea lions are in shallow waters feeding on schools of mating herring,
a cycle that happens every year at this time for a few weeks, said PRNPR
public consultant, Wendy Szaniszlo.
In 2003 and 2004 nine encounters were reported involving surfers and sea lions, said Clarkson, and most involved some form of the following aggressive behaviour on the part of the animal: coming within close proximity of surfers, bumping their boards, coughing, barking and growling, rising well out of the water, rolling, making eye contact, and approaching with an open mouth.
Often in these cases, surfers felt intimidated enough to get out of the water. One incident actually involved a sea lion biting a surfer, but Szaniszlo said she didn't think skin was broken and only bruising resulted.
Clarkson said not a lot is known about sea lion behaviour which makes them hard to predict. In this area, both Stellar and California sea lions seem to be getting more comfortable with people in their territory.
But Clarkson warns against being aggressive to sea lions, because that could trigger more intimidating behaviour.
Instead, he recommends moving away from the animal, and even getting out of the water if the behaviour persists.
And parks staff would like to hear about any encounters that cause surfers concern.
"No encounters were reported last year. Whether people just stopped calling us or they're not happening, I don't know," said Clarkson.
Encounters with sea
lions or any other wildlife can be reported to Bob Hansen at 726-7165
ext. 227.
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is illegal without the written consent of The Westerly News (westnews@ukeecable.net).
The Westerly News is published each Wednesday in Ucluelet. Phone: 250
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