Stellar & California Sea Lions

Introduction

How do you know it’s November in Cowichan Bay? You can hear and smell the male Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus). These big boys visit Cowichan Bay every November to feast on the salmon returning to the Cowichan and Koksilah Rivers on their way to the spawning grounds. Weighing up to 800 kg, male Steller sea lions are so big that one or two of them can sink a small sailboat, as some locals have recently learned the hard way. Steller sea lions are quite gregarious and communicate with loud roars and deep growls. These sea lions are shallow divers and can hold their breath for approximately 16 minutes underwater. California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) also visit Cowichan Bay to feast on salmon in November. California sea lions are smaller and darker in colour compared to Steller sea lions, and mature males have a bump on their forehead called a sagittal crest. Check back on our website in the fall for more videos and sound clips of sea lions!

However, what’s good news for seals and sea lions is not such good news for the rivers’ salmon runs as increasing drought conditions in our watersheds can leave large numbers of salmon waiting in the estuary for increased river flows in order to migrate up-stream, and getting eaten by seals and sea lions as they wait.

Look

Listen

Caption: Listen to California sea lions barking underwater. The sound was recorded using a hydrophone (an underwater microphone) near Denman Island during the wee hours (~2am) of March 11, 2020.

Audio Credit: Philina English, Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Resources

%d bloggers like this: