Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney's Office
- Central District of California

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2, 2004

SHOOTING OF CALIFORNIA SEA LION IN MORRO BAY LEADS TO FEDERAL CHARGES AGAINST TWO MEN
MAMMAL DUBBED "ARROW" MIRACULOUSLY SURVIVED CROSSBOW ATTACK

Two California men, as well as a sportfishing company and a fishing vessel based in San Diego, were charged today with violating the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act in relation to the crossbow shooting last year of a sea lion in Morro Bay.

Matthew Lyon, 38, of Morro Bay, and Anthony Hill, 18, of San Diego, were named in a criminal information that charges them with illegally taking and attempting to kill a marine mammal. The information also charges the San Diego-based Charter Vessel Pacific Queen, and the ship's owner, Cavanaugh Sportfishing, Inc., which is also based in San Diego.

The case stems from a November 4, 2002, incident in which a five-month-old female sea lion pup was intentionally hooked with a deep-sea fishing rod that had been baited with sardines. Hill, who was a crew member aboard the Pacific Queen, intentionally hooked the sea lion. After hooking the sea lion pup, Hill reeled the mammal to the stern of the Fishing Vessel Billy Boy, a bait barge from which Lyon fired a metal crossbow bolt directly into the animal's neck. Lyon runs a bait-selling business aboard the Billy Boy. At the time of the shooting, both the Pacific Queen and the Billy Boy were docked in Morro Bay directly in front of Virg's Landing, the local business that owns the Billy Boy.

The young sea lion survived the shooting and was discovered two days later on the Morro Bay waterfront dock by visiting tourists. The sea lion still had the crossbow bolt protruding from both sides of its neck. The animal was rescued by staff and volunteers of the Sausalito-based Marine Mammal Center. The young sea lion, which was named "Arrow" by her rescuers, had the crossbow bolt removed from her neck, and then received treatment for her injuries and convalescent care in a veterinary clinic. Arrow completely recovered, and she was successfully released back into the environment on February 7.

All four defendants in this case are charged with violating the Marine Mammal Protection Act, 16 U.S.C. '' 1372(a)(2)(A) and 1375(b), a charge that is a misdemeanor offense. For the individuals, the violation carries a maximum possible penalty of one year in prison and/or a $100,000 fine. For the corporation and vessel, the violation carries a maximum fine of $200,000.

The Pacific Queen and Cavanaugh Sportfishing have agreed to plead guilty to the charge. All four defendants will be summoned to appear, likely later this month, in United States District Court in Los Angeles for an arraignment.

This investigation was conducted by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries).