Starving CA Sea Lion Pups Washing Ashore; Mortality Up From Avg. 30% To Nearly 80% In 2009 Near SB

[hatrack]

Sea lions are having a hard time finding food this spring, and pups are feeling the squeeze. Marine mammal experts report that dozens of sick and hungry sea lion pups have washed up on California shores this winter, many not making it even with the help they get at rescue centers. The Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach alone has treated 27 pups found since December. Only 11 have survived. And researchers are blaming a lack of food.

EDIT

Mercury News reported last month that many yearlings at Año Nuevo Island Reserve had been abandoned by their mothers even though they were too still too young to find food for themselves. Simultaneously, the mortality rate of sea lion pups on San Miguel Island off Santa Barbara shot up from the typical 30% to nearly 80 percent in 2009. Mothers were unable to feed enough to keep themselves alive, let alone nurse their young.

"This is unlike any other year with California sea lions," Oliver said. Without enough food, the yearlings couldn't build up enough blubber, which meant they couldn't keep warm enough to go fend for themselves in the frigid waters.

EDIT/END

http://tinyurl.com/yc6gx79

[thereismore]

1. Overfishing, climate change and Federal protection of sea lions conspire to this. nt

[frylock]

2. yep

[arachadillo]

3. El Nino and California Ocean Animals

This year's El Nino may not be the strongest on record, however many media stories over the past winter have documented irregular ocean animal activity.

San Francisco's Sea Lions took a short vacation along the Oregon Coast.
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2010/03/sea_lions_have_left_oregons_se.html

In San Diego they are reporting that El Niño will bring great fishing conditions
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/feb/16/1s16outdoors/

Humboldt Squid Invaded Monterey Bay
http://www.thecalifornian.com/article/20100213/NEWS01/2130305/1002/news01/What-s-up-with-Monterey-Bay-s-Humboldt-squid-invasion