Southeast : SEA LION SHOOTING

The captain of a commercial fishing vessel pleaded guilty Monday to killing a California sea lion off Long Beach.

James Arthur Marshall, 34, of Westminster admitted in U.S. federal court that he shot the mammal aboard his boat, the “GW,” on Jan. 28, 1993, Assistant U.S. Atty. Erica Martin said. Two undercover agents, one from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the other from the California Department of Fish and Game, videotaped the shooting while posing as tourists aboard the boat.

Martin said Marshall shot the sea lion in the neck. He is one of four people to be prosecuted in the past five years for violating the Marine Mammal Protection Act that prohibits killing or harassing a marine mammal and is punishable by up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.

Marshall will be sentenced by U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew J. Wistrich on July 8.

Martin said wildlife officials believe such killings are on the rise because many fishermen view marine mammals as fish-catching competition. The government is offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone found endangering the sea life.

Information can be reported to CALTIP at (800) 952-5400.