Department of Commerce
NOAA Fisheries

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 17, 2004

NOAA FISHERIES OFFERS $2,500 REWARD FOR INFORMATION ON SHOOTING OF CALIFORNIA SEA LION

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries), an agency of the Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is offering a reward for information leading to the prosecution and conviction of those responsible for injuring a California sea lion. The adult male sea lion was found in Crescent City, Calif., on Dec. 10 with an arrow in its abdomen.

NOAA Fisheries special agents are seeking information about the shooting incident, which is a violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). NOAA is offering a reward of $2,500 for information that leads to a prosecution and conviction in this case.

"The MMPA protects sea lions and other marine mammals from any sort of harassment," said Special Agent Tim Broadman, NOAA Fisheries Office for Law Enforcement - Southwest Division. "Shooting at sea lions is illegal under federal law and violators can face a civil penalty of up to $12,000 or a criminal fine of up to $20,000 and jail time."

Initially, the 800-pound sea lion was spotted in the Crescent City Harbor on Dec. 10 with a carbon, hunting arrow stuck in his abdomen. The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, Calif., and a local veterinarian tried unsuccessfully to capture the animal and remove the arrow.

"Bo", as he's been commonly referred to, has not been seen since the evening of Dec 10 and his current whereabouts are unknown.

"We are working closely with the U.S. Coast Guard, the California Department of Fish & Game and the Marine Mammal Center to locate this animal and find out who shot him," continued Broadman.

NOAA Fisheries Enforcement also has increased the reward for information leading to the conviction of the person(s) responsible for the death of another California sea lion in the waters off Redondo Beach from $1,000 to $2,500.

The MMPA of 1972 protects seals, sea lions and all species of marine mammals. Under the MMPA it is illegal to harass or feed marine mammals in the wild.

NOAA asks any citizen with information concerning this incident to please call any of the following:

If citizens find a seal or other marine mammal entangled, struck by a vehicle or boat, or otherwise visibly injured in Northern California, NOAA Fisheries requests that they contact:

NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) is dedicated to protecting and preserving our nation’s living marine resources and their habitat through scientific research, management and enforcement. NOAA Fisheries provides effective stewardship of these resources for the benefit of the nation, supporting coastal communities that depend upon them, and helping to provide safe and healthy seafood to consumers and recreational opportunities for the American public. To learn more about NOAA Fisheries, please visit: www.nmfs.noaa.gov.

The Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources. For more information about NOAA visit: www.noaa.gov.