The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1885-07-29
PACIFIC COAST SEA LIONS.


DO 10 Net6.
Ten or twelve years ago an act was pass.
I'd by the Legislature making II misde-
meanor to kill sea lions anywhere within q
one-mile radius of Seal Rock, and ever since
that time the sea lion has been regarded as
O privileged character. Five or six years
ago the fish industry first began to assume
important dimensions II was then that
canneries began to loom up, and in the
course Of three years following grew to real.
ly gigantic proportions. Firms in this city
engaged in furnishing supplies of all de.
scriptions to fishing outfits did an immense
business, and the outlook became as prom
Using as that of any industry on the coast.
Soon, however, the sea lion nuisance mani
Tested itself, and at the present time the fish
industry in ind around San Francisco Bay
is nearly paralyzed.
The sea lion is o lover of luxury, which
doubtless means to that species Of animal
life place to lounge on the sunny side Of
some ragged cliH and plenty to eat provid-
ed by somebody else. During the day the
animals arc always seen in great numbers
foundering about the rocks near the Cliff
House, but toward night they disappear and
In immense bands flock into the bay through
the entrance at the Golden Gate The fish
ermen usually start ont about or o'clock
the greater part of their work between that
hour and midnight. The sea lions seem TO
have comprehended the processes OF the
fishermen, and evidently lie in wait for their
approach. When net is laid these Curl
ously intelligent creatures first make their
presence known by low grunt and blow
ing noise along the surface of the water
and in most incredibly short space OF time
dozens and hundreds of companions mp.
pear. They rush at the nets, seize the fish
tear them loose from the meshes, and de.
your them with the rapidity of machines.
If the band happens to be few In numbers,
not equal 10 the consumption of all the fish
in the nets which they attack, they viii
tear the fish oat and play with them, throw
ing them, sometimes, many feet in the air,
and otherwise destroying tho game of the
industrious fisherman, SO that it is not an
uncommon occurrence for the hungry toll
ers Of the bay 10 lift $50 fathoms of net
without securing single fish. The lions
can be seen almost at any time chasing up
and down before the nets in great numbers,
tearing the meshes, breaking the cords,
and doing vast deal of damage aside from
destroying all the fish, and are so fearless
in this riotous work that they will approach
within few feet OF the fisherman's boat.
Trade in the merchandise OF fishing out
fits has been reduced to considerably less
thnn one-third Of what ii was two years ago
and the Italians, Portuguese, and others en-.
gagged in supplying the local fish markets,
instead of making it paying enterprise,
are reduced In many instances TO actual
wnnt. A man we'll informed on the fishing
industry stated that the various canneries
here and elsewhere are not doing business
of 800 now where two years ago $500
would not cover H.
The ravages of the sen lions are not con.
fined to any one branch of destruction, but
to oil kinds of fishing done with nets, and
they display remarkable intelligence In
hunting up the haunts Of the fishermen and
being on hand when the nets are set Along
the wharves and sheds monopolized by the
fishermen may be seen great piles of unused
nets and other equipments, and the princi
pal demand at the houses dealing in sup.
plies is for occasional small quantities OF
Irvine or rope for repairing. San Francisc<
Chronicle. a-tss