But in the case of Alaska's Stellar sea lions an exploding population of pollock may be too much of a good thing. Pollock travel in huge schools, and as far as anyone knows, they have always lived in Alaska's Bering Sea. But since the late 1960s, favorable ocean conditions have caused pollock numbers to soar. At the same time, the numbers of Stellar sea lions in Alaska waters have plummeted, and today they are listed as an endangered species. Researchers now believe that the sea lion demise may be blamed in part on the pollock, which have displaced other species that used to make up most of the sea lions' diet.
Sea lions can actually lose weight while stuffing themselves with pollock.
Coastwatch is a public information service of Oregon Sea Grant and this station. But rising concern about food safety has some sushi-lovers wondering if their favorite food is safe. Seafood safety experts say that, if you take proper care, you can still enjoy your sushi. With raw fish, the biggest concern is parasites. Raw shellfish, especially molluscs like oysters and clams, pose a much greater risk, since they can harbor viruses and bacteria that only cooking can destroy.