Last week, Fisheries and Oceans Canada was pleased to assist our partners at the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society in rescuing a California sea lion that had become caught in fishing gear close to British Columbia’s Race Rocks Ecological Reserve.
We used a drone to track the adult male sea lion in order to minimize harm to the delicate Ecological Reserve. This allowed the aquarium’s rescue team to go close to the animal and carefully remove the gear. The skilled team consisting of our fishery officers and employees from the Vancouver Aquarium needed nearly an hour and a half to complete this intricate on-water operation. We are grateful to Pearson College UWC, BC Parks, and the Vancouver Aquarium for their significant contributions to this well-coordinated response.
Like other marine life, sea lions are susceptible to marine pollution. Fishing gear entanglements can kill them or seriously injure them, impairing their ability to feed and swim. Look for buoys or lines that are wrapped over or trailing behind the entangled animal to identify it. In order for professionals to securely remove the entangled gear, report the occurrence.
Avoid trying to untangle the animal yourself as this could cause harm to both of you and the animal, as well as make the entanglement more complicated.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
We are a federal institution, responsible for safeguarding our waters and managing Canada’s fisheries and oceans resources.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) helps to ensure healthy and sustainable aquatic ecosystems through habitat protection and sound science. We support economic growth in the marine and fisheries sectors, and innovation in areas such as aquaculture and biotechnology.
Here’s how to report: https://ow.ly/whf950TXx7g