Entanglement of Steller Sea Lions in Marine Debris and Fishing Gear on the Central Oregon Coast from 2005–2009

Details

• Journal Title:
  Oceans
• Personal Author:
  Raum-Suryan, Kimberly L. ; Suryan, Robert M.
• NOAA Program & Office:
  NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) ; AFSC (Alaska Fisheries Science Center)
• Description:
  Entanglement in marine debris and fishing gear is an increasing problem for the world’s pinnipeds and a contributing factor in Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) injury and mortality. From 2005–2009, we surveyed (n = 389 days) two haul-outs on the central Oregon coast containing a combined median of 402 animals (range 33–1240, or ca. 1–19% of the Oregon coast population). We recorded 72 individuals entangled in marine debris (n = 70) or with ingested salmon hook-and-line fishing gear (n = 2). Of the identifiable neck entanglements, black rubber bands were the most common neck-entangling material (62%), followed by plastic packing bands (36%), nets (1.2%), yellow rubber bands (0.4%), and a flying disc (0.4%). The estimated prevalence of entanglement for individuals in Oregon was 0.34%. Juveniles were the most frequently entangled age class (60%), followed by adult females (28%), and subadult males (12%). Supply chain and industry-based solutions are needed to prevent entangling debris from entering the ocean, along with eliminating, modifying, or cutting entangling loops of synthetic material.
• Keywords:
  • Steller sea lion
  • Eumetopias jubatus Entanglement
  • Packing bands
  • Lose the Loop
• Source:
  Oceans 2022, 3(3), 319-330
• DOI:
  https://doi.org/10.3390/oceans3030022
• Document Type:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Oregon
• Rights Information:
  CC BY
• Compliance:
  Submitted
• Download URL:
  https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/45087/noaa_45087_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.66 MB]
• Collection(s):
  National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:cc521ac6dbd8932ecf426dc13616445cc4cb2d60fbd074ddcbd8fbb017caaf6a