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Department of Commerce
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
National Marine Fisheries Service
- Southwest Regional Office
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 3, 2008
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Special Agent Roy Torres |
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(831) 760 - 0178
Don Masters
(562) 824 - 4063
Jim Milbury
(310) 245 -7114 |
Three Elephant Seals Shot and Killed Off Central Coast
Federal Agency Offers Reward For Information on Shooting
SAN SIMEON, Calif. – NOAA Fisheries Service’s Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information on the shooting deaths of three Northern Elephant seals at the Point Piedras Blancas elephant seal colony near San Simeon, California. Information must lead to an arrest, conviction, civil penalty assessment or forfeiture of property for any violations against those responsible.
The elephant seals were discovered pm May 3, 2008 at the northern end of a elephant seal colony viewing area at the popular wildlife viewing area located approximately five miles north of Hearst Castle. California Department of Fish and Game enforcement officers assisted with the necropsy and are aiding OLE special agents in the investigation of the illegal “take” of these marine mammals.
Elephant seals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).
The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) of 1972 is a federal law established to protect seals, sea lions, dolphins, whales and all other species of marine mammals. Under the MMPA and its corresponding regulations, it is illegal to harass, shoot, pursue or feed marine mammals in the wild. A violation of the act is considered a “take” and can result in civil penalties of up to $12,000 and criminal fines of up to $20,000 and imprisonment.
NOAA Fisheries Service asks any citizen with information concerning this incident to please call one of the following numbers:
Special Agent Roy Torres: 831-647-2127
OLE Hotline: 800-853-1964
California State Parks: 805-927-2068
NOAA Fisheries Service is dedicated to protecting and preserving our nation’s living marine resources and their habitats through scientific research, management and enforcement. NOAA Fisheries Service 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.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, an agency of the U.S. Commerce Department, 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. Through the emerging Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), NOAA is working with its federal partners and nearly 60 countries to develop a global monitoring network that is as integrated as the planet it observes.
* Any officer or employee of the United States or of any Foreign, State or local government, or their family members, who furnishes information or renders service in the performance of his official duties shall not be eligible for payment under this reward offer.
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