Why is NOAA Fisheries Service talking about the deterrence of Pacific harbor seals and California seal lions?
A. Since the passage of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) in 1972, populations of California sea lions and Pacific harbor seals have increased dramatically, and are now considered healthy and robust. The increased abundance has been accompanied by a growing number of interactions with humans, raising concerns by private citizens and government officials who are seeking ways to protect property, fishing gear, and catch from damage by sea lions and seals. The MMPA generally prohibits the harassment, hunting, capturing, or killing of marine mammals, or any attempt to engage in such activities. However, the law does contain exceptions authorizing certain people under certain circumstances to deter marine mammals from damaging private property, including fishing gear and catch, so long as the methods used do not result in the death or serious injury of an animal. To reduce the risk of causing “serious injury” to an animal, deterrence methods should be chosen that avoid penetration or
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