A $5,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever fatally shot a sea lion in the Santa Monica Bay a week ago.
From The Santa Monica Daily Press:
On the afternoon of Aug. 3, an adult female sea lion was found dead on Venice Beach, said Paul Wallerstein with Marine Animal Rescue, the organization offering the reward. “Blood was spurting out like a faucet,” said Wallerstein, who has been rescuing marine mammals in Los Angeles County for over 25 years. “We found three bullets in her. … She was very healthy otherwise.”
Some fishermen have been known to kill seals, sea lions and pelicans because they view them as a threat to their livelihoods. Some shoot the animals while others use “California seal control devices,” otherwise known as seal bombs.
Killing a marine mammal is a violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which can result in a $100,000 fine and a year in prison.
Those with information about the shooting or any other violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act can contact the NOAA Office of Law Enforcement hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week at (800) 853-1964.
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