After running the Westport Aquarium for seven years, it’s become obvious that the laws of Nature dictate that two things are the most important to all life: Food and reproduction. I know that these two things are pretty important to me, as well.
For better or for worse, these things are also very important to our friends in the Westport Marina, the California sea lions. Whether you’re new or old to Westport, you will recognize the literal stockpiles of these pinnipeds lounging around on the docks around the Marina with their effervescent barking and squawking.
However, you also need to recognize that these 600-800 lb. fellows are following their instinctual needs to find food and to find mates. These sea lions, much like us, will always follow their stomachs. Until mating season begins toward mid-summer, they land where the food is greatest. Currently, this is Westport.
At one point, the California sea lion was near the point of being an endangered species. With the adoption of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, the ardent work of the state Department of Fish & Wildlife and the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, their estimated population levels are now almost to the same number as that prior to 1972.
Yes… yes… As an old timer told me once, “You know, we just used to shoot ‘em!” Well, we can’t do that anymore. Yes, these fellows do eat fish. Unfortunately, they eat the same fish we like to eat. Yes, they do invade docks and boats; the same docks and boats that we like to use.
So, what do we do here in Westport?
It is vitally important that all of us humans minimize, reduce and eliminate the dumping of our leftover fish in to the boat basin. Why? Well, if someone has the where-with-all to offer free beer and pizza to me here at the Westport Aquarium, it’s a fair wager for all of you good folks that I’m never going to leave.
Get the picture? Every time that we fillet a fish and dump it in to the marina, or every time that we jettison our leftover bait from a crab pot into the water, we are begging for that sea lion and his friends to rejoice in those free goodies.
Once these sea lions get the idea that food is plentiful, they will jump on the dock and follow their stomachs, looking for food; be it from you, your crab pot or whatever. I annually get reports of California sea lions chasing bits from crab pots and small dogs on the docks and I personally witnessed a sea lion following a small dog on a leash with its owner, angling for a quick bite.
So, while enjoying the bounty of the Westport Marina, please follow these guidelines:
• Keep your dogs off the docks.
• Do not toss filleted fish carcasses into the marina.
• Do not cast leftover bait from crab pots into marina waters.
Fish carcasses and leftover bait should be disposed of out of the marina area. This is a Port of Grays Harbor regulation and, really, just good sense.
If, however, you do encounter an aggressive sea lion raiding your crab pot, or worse, getting on the dock near you, leave the area immediately. In a tug-of-war with your crab trap and a sea lion, the sea lion will always win.
Call WDFW enforcement or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) enforcement immediately. Just dial 911. Explain to the dispatch officer the situation and explain that WDFW and NOAA enforcement officers need to respond. These folks are located here in Westport and they’re ready to help.
Strandings, harassment, etc.
To report a dead, injured or stranded marine mammal, please call: 1-866-767-6114
For law enforcement, harassments, and other violations, call: 1-800-853-1964
For entangled marine mammals, call: 1-877-767-9425
Marc Myrsell and his wife Kathryn own and operate the Westport Aquarium.