Seven Steller sea lions were killed close to Cordova earlier this month. the police are now offering cash reward for information that can lead to the person responsible for the shooting.
The announcement issued by NOAA fisheries confirmed that sea lions were found on the Copper River Delta near Cordova on May 16 by personnel from the protected resources division of the agency. This is the first day of fishing for them. Copper River commercial fishery was launched just one day prior to the opening. NOAA states that the sea lions seem to have been killed without evidence of any attempt to capture or save the animals.
Sea lions from Steller are protected by the federal government by the Endangered Species Act, and killing marine mammals such as sea lions is an infraction under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
NOAA will pay an award of $5,000 for information that could lead to an “civil punishment or criminal charge” during the shootings. You can contact the investigator on (907) 250-5188 or the NOAA Enforcement Hotline by dialing (800) 853-1964.
A NOAA spokesperson for law enforcement declined to provide further information on an ongoing inquiry.
