Entanglement of Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) in man-made marine debris on Tyuleniy Island, Sea of Okhotsk

Kuzin, Alexey E.; Trukhin, Alexey M.

Entanglement of Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) in man-made marine debris on Tyuleniy Island, Sea of Okhotsk

2022

Kuzin, Alexey E. | Trukhin, Alexey M.

The present report provides data on entanglement of Steller sea lions (SSL) in marine debris on Tyuleniy Island, Sea of Okhotsk. The frequency of entanglement depending on the material, sex, and age of animals was estimated. A total of 133 SSL were recorded as having debris on their bodies, or an average of 22.2 individuals per year. The relative rate of entanglement over the observation years ranged from 1.48 to 1.97% of their total number. The entangled individuals were both males and females of all ages, but young males constituted the largest proportion among them (5.2%). The entangled SSL most frequently (43.2%) had neck collars (the material is not defined) and, less frequently, packaging bands (23.4%), nets (17.7%), and other debris. Most of marine litter found on SSL is associated with commercial fishing activities. On Tyuleniy Island, the rate of SSL entanglement is higher than in the eastern part of the species' range.

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