The wildlife managers have been concerned that the reduced numbers of fish are part of the reason that an endangered population of orcas is in decline. The fish are a key food source for the orcas. While the sea lions are also a protected species, their populations are generally healthy. Various methods of deterring or removing the sea lions have been tried, without success. Over the years the sea lions have learned where the fish congregate, and keep returning there for the easy pickings. So officials were left with the conundrum of how to deal with multiple protected species.
The wildlife managers have been concerned that the reduced numbers of fish are part of the reason that an endangered population of orcas is in decline. The fish are a key food source for the orcas. While the sea lions are also a protected species, their populations are generally healthy. Various methods of deterring or removing the sea lions have been tried, without success. Over the years the sea lions have learned where the fish congregate, and keep returning there for the easy pickings. So officials were left with the conundrum of how to deal with multiple protected species.