10 news tonight!

[Chuck D]

Originally Posted by bubblehide

No Chuck, all I am saying is that we don't need to save every single one. There are times when we, humans, need to leave nature to it's own means, and other times, we need to step in. However, for some, an animals life is much more valuable than a humans. At this point in time, in the Southern California area, there is a clear over-population. Simple logic tells us that this is a time to let nature take it's course.

Originally Posted by jruiz

I agree with Chuck view that I don't understand the negative sentiment over seals just because they steal our bait. We're in their habitat fishing recreationally. Really, only Rossman has a legitimate reason to be pissed off. The other thread with people going off about shooting, hot-saucing seals is a real disappointment. Those of you in that thread that have young kids. Sit in front of them, look them in the eye, and tell them "I want to shoot a seal because it stole my bait." They respond with "Dad, you're an entitled douche."

Bubblehide, I agree as well, that nature should live or die naturally.

Well said John! Actually it is the last post you mentioned that boiled me to the point to lash out at this dude perpetuating ignorance. I also agree Rossman is the only one that owes retribution to the seals, that story was crazy man! I am sure that most who have kids and have made out of line comments about the seals would never have the balls to re-read their post to their kids, great point. These are the guys with little fish syndrome, "little fish, big mouth". I remember when I moved from the east coast I thought that seeing seals up close in the kayak was enthralling experience since I never grew up with those encounters, I still do. To be honest I have never had a fish taken from me by a seal in all my years of fishing at the Jewel. I have had them chase, but this is part of the challenge and rush. Although I have had them play tug-a-war with me and my hooping nets I am not telling anyone what to believe, but think before you puff out your chest and look like a douche, think about what is coming out of your mouth, that is, unless, of course, you want to look like a douche.
Don't worry Bubble, I still love you man, and still would eat your soup any day of the week. Just think that as humans and protectors of our ocean we need to respect it a bit more so that our sealife doesn't die off the way it has been. Is it time to go to Baja yet? Thats all folks.

D

[monstahfish]

I have to agree with these guys, seals are just a part of the game. And yes they have stolen my fish. Some of you maybe even saw my tirade last fall where a seal stole my yellow popped up 20 feet away and I went chasing after it calling it an arrogant SOB. The reality is he won fair and square but you don't have to hurt them to train them. I just point the kayak at them pedal like hell and scream until they head for the hills, it seems to work just fine. FYI that seems to work with humans too, nobody ever wants to fight a crazy person

[Deamon]

Originally Posted by Chuck D

Although I have had them play tug-a-war with me and my hooping nets

There you go popping off again ChuckieD. You're always spouting about your lobster hole but I haven't been taken to it yet. Whatever...maybe next year I guess... Jim

[chris138]

Doesn't matter how many sea lions that sea world "saves". They will die when returned to the wild. There will be a giant die-off because there is no food for them. Their numbers have been artificially inflated since the last period of cold nutrient rich upwelling. Now there is no upwelling on the whole west coast of north america. No upwelling means drastically reduced phytoplankton bio-mass. No phytoplankton means no zooplankton. No zooplankton means no sardines. No sardines means bye-bye sea lion population. The beautiful clear warm subtropical water that we all love so much (including the YT) is actually killing a big part of our marine ecosystem. The kelp beds wont be far behind if water temps have a repeat of last year.

We have rose colored glasses in la jolla because we can almost always find bait. But the east pacific sardine fishery as a whole is on the verge of collapse according to CalCOFI scientists. Some even think the sardine is threatened as a species. The reason people have been feeling like the dogs have gotten worse in the last couple years is because they are all starving.

Don't hate on the dogs because you don't know how to deal with them. As a fisherman they are just as big of an asset as they are a nuisance if you know how to key in on them.

[jorluivil]

Funny, we move into their territory and all of a sudden we're the victims.

That's like building a house on the foothills and then complaining that coyotes and bears are eating your pets.

[walrus]

People aren't so smart, they stick to bias attitudes regardless of reality. Nature however will change to the circumstances and continue to thrive, although the change may be unpleasant to watch.

The real question is can the current fish population support the Sea Lion population. If not, it's likely a large numbers of Sea Lions will be found along the coast dehydrated and starving. It's nature's way to adjust by eliminating the weak.

If man intervenes by saving the weaker members, the overall population will become weaker. At some point (maybe a thousand years from now) the species will collapse entirely.

But, we won't be here to see that happen, so the compassionate thing to do now, is interfere with nature.

[HBOUND808]

Originally Posted by jorluivil

Funny, we move into their territory and all of a sudden we're the victims.

That's like building a house on the foothills and then complaining that coyotes and bears are eating your pets.

This!!!

[TheBentRod]

Originally Posted by Deamon

There you go popping off again ChuckieD. You're always spouting about your lobster hole but I haven't been taken to it yet. Whatever...maybe next year I guess... Jim

Yeah Chuck. I want to go to the lobster hole too!

[Deamon]

Originally Posted by TheBentRod

Yeah Chuck. I want to go to the lobster hole too!

Stan...The MAN! Tell Chuckie...I'm a giver. Now give me that lobster spot ChuckieDee!

[driftwood]

Originally Posted by jorluivil

Funny, we move into their territory and all of a sudden we're the victims.

That's like building a house on the foothills and then complaining that coyotes and bears are eating your pets.

Very good analogy.

[SorryCharlie]

Let me start off by saying while I do not LOVE sea lions, I do not wish ALL of them dead because they steal my bait or fish. I hate them because people feel they require protection in areas where their populations are healthy, but they are cute so they require this "extra" protection (or starving... most likely due to limited food because of overpopulation and some of our shananigans of course).

There has been some mention of children's pool, but that location was BUILT for... you guessed it CHILDRED. Not seal lions, which are now receiving additional protection at CHILDERNS pool because they have taken over this artificially protected area (again, it was protected so CHILDREN could safely play there) for their own. Additionally, due to the overpopulation of sea lions at childrens pool, SD county spends money (not sure how much or the frequency, but I would assume it is not negligible) to clean the sh#^ left by the sea lions. If they didn't clean it, guess what... the businesses in LJ would suffer, as I am sure some already have do to the smell (my family and I had PLANNED to eat at a restaurant near the area, but couldn't because the smell was horrible on their patio due to the sea lions... and I mean HORRIBLE).

Notice how SD county alone has saved more sea lions then all of the counties up the coast to SF combined......... looks a bit telling doesn't it. I am not saying we should have free range to kill/reduce SL numbers, but I don't think they need extra protection.......

[GregAndrew]

A different Animal altogether.

Children's Pool is full of Harbor Seals, not Sea Lions. Although you probably can't tell the difference by the smell. I would agree that turning that man made cove into a sanctuary is just as bad as rehabilitating all sick Sea Lions. In both cases they are aiding overpopulation which is never good for the ecosystem.

As far as fishing goes, they are very far apart on the nuisance meter. You are rarely going to have a Harbor Seal take your bait. And, I have not heard of or experienced any aggressive behavior from them.

I would bet that the reason San Diego is able to rehab more sea life than any other county would be the presence of Sea World's rehab facilities. Most other counties have to rely on their under-funded, under-staffed and under-trained animal control officers. Personally, I don't hold anything against Sea World. They do some great work in saving and rehabilitating other, more likeable, marine mamals. I also agree that we should intervene, if we can, in human caused animal ailments, even in Sea Lions.

The supposed collapse of the Sardine population (probably brought to you by the MLPA scientists) was blown way out of proportion also. There is lots of other inshore bait fish all over the South Coast. Even with tons of bait fish, there are lots of Sea Lions, mostly young ones, dying in the Redondo area. Probably for the same reason that we must get burned to learn. After a few good Squid years, there are also a lot of new Sea Lion mothers too.

[taggermike]

Seaworld is backed in to a PR corner no business wants to be in. They've been saving Seals/sea lions a long time. Since back when these animals may have actually needed help. Its been a big PR boost for decades. Now, do so cal pinnipeds need help? Many think not. But if SW stops saving them it will look like they are failing to do their job. Or twisted to appear that SW is actively killing seals n sea lions. One story gets on the news about how SW failed to respond to a stranded seal call and they're gonna have another PR disaster they can't afford. Mike