Bass Fishing Forum - Westernbass.com

The fishing was good today, especially for the sea lions!

Sad to think that the liberal politicians and corrupt leaders in California blame the Largemouth Bass species and grass in the water for endangering the salmon population... how stupid does that sound? The cute little sea lions, the wonderful commercial fisherman, the thousands of illegal anglers, and poachers anchored on every tule island on the Delta aren’t at all contributing to the diminishing salmon population... the highest taxes state in the nation and we have the worst water, the worst schools, the worst sanitation levels, the worst roads, worst traffic, highest gas prices, the highest cost of living, highest population, highest crime activity, most overcrowded jails, enough homeless people to populate Alaska, billions of dollars in debt, shall I keep going? Lets keep voting in the same people, seems to be working right?

Sorry for my rant, just tired of doing my part and being shat on by the California government year after year. Our infrastructure is crumbling, $1.3 trillion in debt. The California government is focusing their time and our resources on all gender restrooms, gun free police, high speed rail systems, saving the sea lions, and sending water to farmers. How bout Seeing this video brings out my frustrations, those sea rats are everywhere. Looks like Bishop... there were 4 in the back of Sycamore last weekend tearing the salmon to shreds. Happy Halloween!

I share your frustration. Despite our politicians and bureaucrats California truly is a great state with many resources and amazing recreation opportunities. It just makes it all the more frustrating when there is mismanagement and corruption.

You can't condem the Sea Lions for doing what they do, it's the DFW who sets the laws and protects them. The Sea Lion population has tripled in the past 2 decades, the only predators today are Great White sharks and killer whales that prefer smaller seals. DFW needs to thin out the Sea Lion herd.
Tom

WRB wrote:You can't condem the Sea Lions for doing what they do, it's the DFW who sets the laws and protects them. The Sea Lion population has tripled in the past 2 decades, the only predators today are Great White sharks and killer whales that prefer smaller seals. DFW needs to thin out the Sea Lion herd.
Tom

It's a little more complicated than that, Tom. Sea lions, along with seals, whales, dolphins, etc are protected by the Federal government under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972.

Marine Mammal Protection Act - United States Fish and Wildlife Service
https://www.fws.gov/.../marine-mammal-p ... n-act.html

The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) was enacted on October 21, 1972. All marine mammals are protected under the MMPA. The MMPA prohibits, with certain exceptions, the "take" of marine mammals in U.S. waters and by U.S. citizens on the high seas, and the importation of marine mammals and marine mammal products into the U.S.

So even if the DFW were willing to take steps to control sea lions (which is highly unlikely), they could not...their hands are tied.

Capture the Sea Lions alive and give a few hundred at a time a free ride 500 miles south of the Mexican border and release them into international waters.
The Baja locals would appreciate a new source of lobster trap bait.
Tom
PS, the act needs to be amended to remove Sea Lion protection.

Here 3 ways to get way from sea lions
Vote nov.6th if that wont work
Build a set of tunnels if that doesn't work
This one might work move out of CA. That may solve your problems.

Lets send caravans of these bastards down south!