Sea Lion Entanglement and Injury by Fishing Line and Fishing Net

Too many times I have come across sea lions entangled and injured by fishing line. It sickens me. For each sea lion that survives such a mess, I believe there are many others than do not survive. In fact, I believe many that become entangled in fishing line or nets never even make it back to the surface, held underwater to drown by the deadly gear. This juvenile sea lion was spotted in La Jolla recently. I photographed it and reported its condition and location to the Sea World rescue program. They had seen it before but had been unable to capture it, and were planning to try again. I hope they were successful.

California sea lion entangled in fishing line, deep laceration around neck, Point La Jolla, Zalophus californianus

California sea lion entangled in fishing line, deep laceration around neck, Point La Jolla.
Image ID: 37835
Species: California, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California, USA

California sea lion entangled in fishing line, deep laceration around neck, Point La Jolla.
Image ID: 37830
Species: California, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California, USA

California sea lion entangled in fishing line, deep laceration around neck, Point La Jolla.
Image ID: 37832
Species: California, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California, USA

Here are some other marine animals that suffered from fishing line entanglement and injury.

California sea lion wounded from entanglement in fishing line, La Jolla, Zalophus californianus

California sea lion wounded from entanglement in fishing line, La Jolla.
Image ID: 35156
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California, USA

California sea lion injured by fishing line, Zalophus californianus, Sea of Cortez

California sea lion injured by fishing line.
Image ID: 27419
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Sea of Cortez, Baja California, Mexico

Brown pelican, entangled in monofilament fishing line, showing winter mating plumage colors, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, La Jolla, California

Brown pelican, entangled in monofilament fishing line, showing winter mating plumage colors.
Image ID: 28966
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California, USA

California sea lion with scar around neck from monofiliment fishing line entanglement, Zalophus californianus, Sea of Cortez

California sea lion with scar around neck from monofiliment fishing line entanglement.
Image ID: 31234
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Sea of Cortez, Baja California, Mexico