The Invasion of the 800-pound pinnipeds

[mg2969]

Sky, Jikser , et all

No I asked. Neither are cattle prodders. You can't even hit it with your paddle. (legally :rolleyes:)

Part 1: Mr Cardoro ?
I don't know Mr Joe Cardoro and am not really sure what organization he actually represents. However since his title of "Coordinator of the California Marine Mammal Stranding Network" seems like his agenda or focus would be to protect the sea lions and not your safety.

I am not trying to be disrespectful towards him just clearly state the facts as I see them.
of course maybe Im just wrong

Part 2: The law
Sea Lions as part of the original post are protected by FEDERAL LAW.
We should examine that. NOAA has a site directly dedicated to California Sea Lions.
What does it say
Heres is the Q & A from NOAA
http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/Marine-Mamma...-Pinnipeds.cfm

Within it you can find a pdf called "potential deterrance methods"

Found at
http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/Marine-Mamma...-Pinnipeds.pdf

Clearly states for property owners to include vessels at anchor
cattle prods - OK
sling shots - OK ( even gives a picture)
However if a sea lion was climbing aboard a 800lb sea lion was attempting to board a kayak rated for only 350lbs I would think that would be considered protection of property as opposed to "just fishing"

My 2 cents and how I see it

[Jikser]

Mike,

thanks for the info..that means i get to keep my wrist-rocket in the yak after all, given only to use when necessary and I can't freeze paintballs no mo.. :)

Wil

[one_leg]

Then in closing it puts a little footnote....see attachment. They got you by the ying yang no matter how you want to look at it.

That is one jury I'd actually like to serve on.

[xtinkshun]

Had the same prob at Catalina when we'd go to the Isthumus for the weekend. The "locals" would dock themselves on our dingy when we were moored, and if threatened by something (perhaps a shark, etc) while out and about, they'd try and jump in.

ALWAYS keep at least 2 of those canned-airhorns with ya. As soon as ya see them (or, hopefully not to late as they board your "island"), BLAST THEM with it.

I haven't had this experience with a Yak yet, but with the ding, we'd get up in the morning and sometimes find a lil' sea lion lumbering/sunning/snoozing. I'd get down on the back steps of the sailboat and pull it toward the boat while hallering and be ignored. That was chance #1. After that, here comes the canned horn.

Ka-Ching!

However, I'd hate to think of having an 800 lb# critter suddenly trying to "beach" out of sheer panic, on my 9' Hobie. (Of course, by the time you realize what's going on...:shock:)

I thought about that which is why I bought a couple of the canned horns and will always keep one tethered/handy. The Ocean Gods would not want me to end up hysterical.

No.

Not good. (I'd have to reverse the earth's rotation as a result, and that'll just mess things up for everyone).

It's the Italian Woman in me - what can I say? :rofl:


Ang

[mg2969]

I think the following would be a good rule of thumb

1. Use common sense
2. Do not intentionally provoke
3. Use the least harmful methods available to deter

deter - to discourage or restrain from acting or proceeding

4. If personally attacked, the laws really aren't gonna matter at that point

Really if this thing is gnawing on your leg or foot is anyone gonna give a rat's @$$ about the approved deterance methods ?

If your being attacked then the deterence did not work and thus should be declared open season on the attacking sea lion

[Yellowfinsnapper]

I've been following this thread with a great deal of interest. This Sunday I fished out of 15th street on my kayak and two other guys set off in float tubes. In the early morning I saw no sign of SL but in the afternoon these monsters were everywhere in that derelict boat mooring opposite the peninsula. They were mostly on old barges or mastless cats and trimarans and one boat was practically sunk by four of them.

My biggest concern is with guys on float tubes. Has anyone had a run in with one of these things on a float tube??? Sounds to me that Fish and Game should really move on this issue as there is a very real and present danger that one of many recreational kayakers or float tubers will one day be attacked. The mother and child incident might just be the very beginning of a problem about to occur. I noticed that the SL are not intimidated in the slightest by our presence.............an come right up to the yak. I only noticed them in that boat mooring area and nowhere else in the bay....wonder why??

Overall, a scary situation.
Yellowfin.....

[DropShotMan]

i got attacked when i was fishing in newport, the damn thing bit my paddle and bent it in half and then tried to get on my yak, scariest moment ever, almost bit my buddy in his yak to

[Cap'n Ron]

Always thought you yakkers and tubers were a little off kilter. In the Ocean? Heck, your in the food chain out there. Plus them sea doggies behaving with impunity. Only a matter of time before an accident/attack gets really ugly.

Predators are starting to show up and it may be an interesting summer for the doggies. Just the nature of the beasties. Be prepared.

And in a boat thats one less worry I have to deal with. I can focus more on the traffic and waves.

[Cap'n Ron]

That's a swimmer in the water from the main land to catalina. http://www.familykayak.com/gallery/C...-Channel-Relay

Nope. Thats bait. A one biter by the looks of Moby.

[one_leg]

Whales don't eat people. People eat whales.


And I cannot remember ever hearing about an Orca eating someone. I do remember hearing about Orcas assisting certain Indian tribes to make their catches in a bay up north somewhere. Anyone else remember the story/show?

O_L

P.S. I know that that isn't an Orca in the pic above.