From the Alaska State Troopers:
Location: Sitka
Type: Sea lion mauling
On 1/26/14 Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Sitka Post, received a report that a 19-year-old Sitka man had been attacked by a sea lion while the vessel he was working on was offloading fish at Seafood Producers Cooperative. At this time, investigation has shown the man was sitting on the railing of the fishing vessel with his back to the water. A sea lion, described as a larger bull, jumped from the water and attempted to grab the man in the buttocks, causing the man to fall forward into the vessel. The man received minor injuries that did not require medical attention. Troopers are working closely with the National Marine Fisheries Service to determine what might have caused the attack. Troopers would ask citizens to use caution while on docks near Sitka Channel. Troopers also would remind fishermen and hunters not to dump any carcasses or scraps in the harbor. This will prevent sea lions from associating people with food. To report aggressive sea lion behavior in Sitka, please contact troopers at (907) 747-3254 or NMFS at (907) 586-7225.
Lets all call the Sitka State troopers to report sea lion trouble! They would be so consumed with issuing verbal warnings to these sea lions, that we fisherman may be afforded some peace and quiet.
ReplyDeleteMy uncle got shot and murdered in Kodiak. At the same time a sealion was found shot in the head. They spent 10 times the money investigating the sealion shooting, than my uncle. Not advocating the shooting of sealions, only that they are protected more than it is warranted.
ReplyDeleteCall the National Marine Fisheries Service?
ReplyDelete"Steller knew about Vitus Bering’s Second Kamchatka Expedition, that had already left Saint Petersburg in February 1733...."
"Steller later wrote De Bestiis Marinis."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georg_Wilhelm_Steller
So does this mean you'll allow your small child to play at the dock with their hands in the water while your back is turned? If the person attacked is ok, I would imagine the report is to alert locals for safety reasons. If one cleared the water and knocked him off the railing - one could easily swipe a child from a work float.
ReplyDeleteWhat part of "Lion" don't they understand.
ReplyDeletesea lions in any harbor have good reason to be there. finding something to eat at the fish plant is no surprise, watched the biggest sea lions feed on halibut carcasses under them in every port. it isn't surprising either that someone sitting next to fifty tons of herring has pissed off some hungry sea lion somehow. we used to kill em...they now want to return the favor..and ir'a probably for all the same reason. Competition for fish.
ReplyDeleteThe same thing happened to me in Kodiak.I didnt fall in.I did throw my coffee cup at it.
ReplyDeleteLooking for a handout im sure. Once a sea lion gets used to hand outs of scraps at the harbor they expect them.
ReplyDeleteShoot the fucker
ReplyDeleteI remember this happening in Petersburg a few years ago to some one on the cinamon girl i think. Bit in the ass pretty good. funny as hell but they did cancel the kids fishing tournament on the docks during the 4th because of it.
ReplyDelete