Fisherman Who Allegedly Shot at Sea Lions Cited

A squid fisherman who allegedly shot at sea lions in an attack witnessed by government agents faces up to $40,000 in fines, authorities said.

Anthony Favaloro was cited on nine counts of violating the Federal Marine Mammal Protection Act after agents boarded his vessel and seized a rifle, according to National Marine Fisheries Service Agent Eugene Proulx.

The citations charge that Favaloro shot at sea lions, which are notorious for stealing the catch from fishing boats, when his fishing gear was not in use. He is believed to have hit, and possibly killed, at least one of the protected animals.

More than 50 sea lions have been found dead or wounded by gunshots in Northern California this summer, according to the Marine Mammal Center in Marin County.

Commercial fishermen, under some circumstances, can legally shoot sea lions that are threatening their catch, equipment or safety. They must be in the act of fishing, and they must have first attempted to drive off the pesky creatures by non-lethal means, said Bob Jones, a fisheries service special agent.

Agents from the service and the state Fish and Game Department saw Favaloro fire at the animals July 6 near the Cannery Row area of Monterey Bay, Proulx said. The investigators were on an all-night stakeout, acting on tips that gunshots were routinely heard in that area after midnight.