All articles tagged with #noaa fisheries
Federal investigators are examining a video that appears to show a man kicking a protected sea lion at La Jolla Cove. NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement is leading the case as sea lions are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, with potential penalties for harm or harassment. San Diego officials have urged anyone with information to help the inquiry.
Federal authorities at NOAA Fisheries are investigating a viral video allegedly showing a person taunting and kicking a sea lion at La Jolla Cove. The incident could violate the Marine Mammal Protection Act, with penalties including fines or jail time. The clip was shared online and drew outrage from groups like PETA and the Sierra Club Seal Society; NOAA is seeking witnesses to report details to aid the investigation.
Federal officials are investigating a video that appears to show a man kicking a protected sea lion at a San Diego beach near La Jolla Cove. NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Law Enforcement is leading the probe, though the footage hasn’t been independently verified and the individual hasn’t been identified. Violations of the Marine Mammal Protection Act can carry penalties over $30,000 per violation and potential prison time, as authorities emphasize wildlife protection during pupping season while San Diego has posted restrictions to keep people away from the seals.
A Royal Caribbean cruise ship arrived in Seward, Alaska, with a 61-foot pregnant female fin whale dead on its bow. NOAA Fisheries will conduct a necropsy with the Alaska SeaLife Center to determine the cause of death as authorities investigate possible vessel strikes; the incident has prompted calls from advocates for stronger protections, such as mandatory speed limits in whale hotspots.
A 61-foot pregnant female fin whale carcass was found on the bow of a cruise ship that arrived in Seward, Alaska. NOAA Fisheries, in coordination with the Alaska SeaLife Center, will conduct a necropsy to determine the cause of death, and the public is asked to stay clear of the beach during examinations. Fin whales are endangered and vulnerable to vessel strikes; collecting whale tissue is illegal except for Alaska Native subsistence. NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement is investigating, with a 24-hour hotline (800-853-1964) for information.