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Potential Deterrence Methods for Pacific Harbor
Seals and California Sea Lions
The following list of
"potential methods" and "deterrents to avoid" is not an exhaustive
list of non-lethal methods or techniques. If you have questions about protecting
your property and/or fishing gear and catch from nuisance Pacific harbor seals and
California sea lions, please contact Marine Mammal Specialists (562-980-3232) or NOAA's
Office for Law Enforcement (1-800-853-1964).
Potential methods for use by fishers to
deter Pacific harbor seals and California sea lions from damaging gear or catch
(anglers must be actively fishing with gear deployed).
Visual Repellents/Noise Makers:
boat hazing, circling
pounding on hull
pyrotechnics (e.g., bird
screamers, bangers, underwater firecrackers, cracker shells)
starter pistols*
horns, bells, whistles
Physical Contact:
sling shots
paint ball guns* (paint
balls must be non-toxic and water soluble)
non-lethal ammunition (e.g.,
rubber bullets, sabot rounds, game stingers)
*The equipment used in these methods must be easily
identifiable, at a distance, as a non-lethal weapon. Use of automatic discharge when
using these methods is NOT recommended, due to increased risk of injury to the public and
marine mammals.
Methods to Avoid-the following methods and techniques
have an increased likelihood to cause injury or mortality and should be avoided.
No Firearms with
"live" lethal ammunition
No Devices with Injurious
Projectiles (e.g., archery gear, crossbows, spear guns, bangsticks)
No Sharp/Pointed Objects
(harpoons, spears, gaffs, nail studded bats/poles/clubs)
No Entangling Devices
(e.g., loose webbing, snares, concertina wire)
No Aggressive Tactile
Methods (e.g., striking animals with bats, hammers, etc., impact with vehicles or boats)
No Tainted Baits or
Poisons
Act Responsibly and Use Common Sense!
Remember Personal Safety!
Be Aware of People around You and be
Courteous!
NMFS SWR | NMFS PRD
| NMML | NOAA
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